Media has speculated that Blair is planning to become the first President of the European Council (often touted as the "President of the European Union" or the "President of Europe"), a post created in the Treaty of Lisbon that would come into force in 2009, if successfully ratified.
Blair has been the most common name connected with the post. Touted as far back as 2002, rumours re-emerged since his resignation.[37] In June 2007 French president Nicolas Sarkozy was the first leader to propose that Blair be the first president,[38] support which was reiterated in October 2007 following an agreement on the Treaty of Lisbon.
Gordon Brown, Blair's successor, added his support but noted it was premature to discuss candidates before the treaty was approved. A spokesman for Tony Blair has not ruled out Blair accepting the post, saying he was concentrating on his current role in the Middle East. Some believe he is unlikely to take the position as it comes with few powers.[39] Blair was later invited to speak on European issues at a rally of Sarkozy's party, the Union for a Popular Movement, on 12 January 2008. This fueled speculation further.[40][41]
He is intelligent, he is brave and he is a friend. We need him in Europe. How can we govern a continent of 450 million people if the President changes every six months and has to run his own country at the same time? I want a President chosen from the top - not a compromise candidate - who will serve for two-and-a-half years.
—French President Nicolas Sarkozy, January 2008, [42]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Blair#Potential_candidacy_for_President_of_EuropeTreaty of Lisbonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_LisbonEuropean Communityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Community#Aims_and_achievements
