“If he had led a successful referendum campaign..”
Hmm.. Not necessarily his “last day in the political sun”, Mick. Irish Eagle spotted the Bloomberg news service coverage of the out-going Taoiseach’s speech.
His speech, before a joint session of Congress at 11 a.m. in Washington, “may be a pitch for a future international role, whether on behalf of the European Union or otherwise,” said Noel Whelan, a former adviser to Ahern’s Fianna Fail party. “Bertie Ahern certainly has the mix of skills that might play in conflict resolution.”
Although it’s worth noting the other quotes in the report
“His name has dropped from the top list of candidates for EU president,” said Antonio Missiroli, chief analyst at the European Policy Centre, a Brussels research institute. “If he had led a successful referendum campaign, that would have given him a better platform. Now he doesn’t have that.”
The fifth Parades Commisioner?
I think the idea of Ahern being Europe’s president is only an Irish belief. Whatever of Ahern;s considerable skills – the presidency of the union will go to a candidate that hails from one of Europe’s great political families – the Socialists or Christian Democrats. Fianna Fail is in niether of these groups – much to Fianna Fail’s disadvantage they are in a fringe Euro sceptic group. Perhaps they might join the Socialists when they merge with the SDLP? Bertie is after all “a Socialist”
It’s pretty obvious he doesn’t want the job. Otherwise he would have gone for it after he delivered the euro constitution through the European Council meeting in 04 (during the Irish EU presidency). Barroso was bar far a second choice.
There is speculation that Bertie is wanted closer to home; to use his organisational skills to spearhead the setting up of Fianna Fáil north of the border.
SUrely his Haughey like performance, and shameful departure, would preclude him from any such office?