Race for EU top jobs back on track[fr][de] 

Finnish MEP Ville Itälä threw down the gauntlet on Tuesday (16 December) by proposing that Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn be appointed the first 'High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy', a position introduced under the Lisbon Treaty (see EurActiv Links Dossier). 

Speculation over nominations to new positions created by the text, especially the position of Permanent President of the European Council, was commonplace until last June (see EurActiv Links Dossier on 'Choosing Mr. Europe'), but dried up after the Irish rejected the treaty in a referendum (EurActiv 13/06/08). 

The Finnish press reported that Itälä had called for Finnish politicians to join forces to promote Rehn's appointment to the EU foreign policy job. Itälä, a former minister, believes Rehn would have a good chance of securing the post if Finland's three largest parties worked together to lobby for him. 

Rehn has already given his assent to the idea, according to some media reports. But a press officer in Rehn's office told EurActiv that the move to back Rehn was nothing more than an isolated initiative from the MEP. After Itälä's remarks were published, Rehn contacted him by telephone to thank him for his support. But the commissioner said it was premature to discuss this matter now. 

"Instead, the priority now is to ratify the Lisbon Treaty and make it enter into force. As I have said before, I have the energy and motivation to continue in European tasks," Rehn said, according to the press officer. Speaking to EurActiv recently (EurActiv 21/11/08), Rehn said he was willing to stay on as a commissioner for a second term, but denied to comment as to whether he would like a different portfolio. 

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt also features among various other politicians tipped to become the first EU foreign minister.