Van Rompuy’s low-key leadership 'well-suited for EU'[fr] 

The report , written by Tobias Van Assche, an academic at the University of Antwerp, uses the Leadership Trait Analysis (LTA) technique – a methodology developed in the United States to compile personality profiles of political leaders – to investigate Van Rompuy’s suitability for the new EU "top job".

Based on his LTA profile, the report argues that "electing Van Rompuy as the first president of the European Council is a very good choice considering what Europe needs at this time".

Speaking to EurActiv, Van Assche elaborated on his belief that the Belgian PM is precisely the type of leader the EU requires at this moment in its evolution. 

"The scientific part of my analysis shows that he is someone who is more of a managerial type," he said, adding that "right now, the EU is going through a period of consolidation" where a low-key consensus-builder will be more effective than a charismatic global figure like Tony Blair. 

If a majority of EU leaders did in fact want the EU to become stronger in the global sphere, Van Rompuy would not be the right man, the University of Antwerp academic argued. 

However, the report concludes that the enlarged 27-member union "is not looking to make any drastic changes in the near future. It is instead going to try to digest a number of recent developments such as: the economic crisis, issues concerning the latest expansion rounds, and the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty".

Van Rompuy, then, fits the bill perfectly, given that “the main challenge the new President faces is finding a way to come to an agreement between 27 countries with very different demands and needs”. 

The Belgian PM, who according to the LTA analysis "does not have a strong need for power" will therefore not "try to force an agreement when there is no general consensus".

He will, rather, "create the sense that the countries are working 'with' him towards an agreement, instead of working 'for' him". 

Van Assche believes the LTA technique – primarily developed as an American method of assessing little-known Soviet leaders during the cold war – to be a credible tool in the European context. "It’s a very reliable technique," he argued. 

EU’s gain, Belgium’s loss 

The most significant problem with Van Rompuy possibly becoming president of the European Union is the potentially negative implications for Belgium, Van Assche told EurActiv. 

"Belgium needs this type of leader to steer the country through the difficult state reforms that have already caused crises on numerous occasions," says the report. 

While concluding that both Europe and Belgium could use Van Rompuy’s calm and steady leadership at this time, Van Assche acknowledged that "I have a hard time seeing who could benefit from it the most".