London: Tony Blair`s undeclared,
behind-the-scenes bid for the presidency of the European Union
received a boost on Wednesday when his old Labour Party rival, Prime
Minister Gordon Brown, offered his endorsement.
Brown told Parliament he would back Blair once the new
post has been created, and once Blair expresses his desire for
the job.
"We will be very happy to support him," Brown told
British lawmakers as speculation mounted about wavering
support for Blair both at home and on the European continent.
Blair is the most prominent politician in the running for
the new post, which will be established once the Lisbon Treaty
is signed.
But he faces formidable opposition from Britain`s
opposition Conservative Party, which is leading in national
opinion polls and is expected to gain power in general
elections, to be held by June.
Conservative Party lawmaker Malcolm Rifkind, a former
foreign secretary, said party leaders have been advising
European leaders that choosing Blair would be a serious
mistake.
"He`s not the right person for the job," Rifkind said. "I
think Blair`s background, including his support for the war in
Iraq, make him unsuitable."
It is also not clear if Blair has the backing of key
European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The presidency is expected to be discussed at a two-day
EU summit set to begin in Brussels tomorrow.
Bureau Report
