Euro zone member state's populations have a deep mistrust of Tony Blair. He is seen as a proven liar and a war monger.

European people don't want to be part of a new world order as loudly advocated by Nigel Lawson.

Europeans are not actually anti American but are sick of war mongers and don't want their people sacrificed for fruitless misguided wars that cannot be won.

Member governments have to be careful. It's very easy for them to be voted out by their electorate.

Defeat in Afghanistan ( a real possibility) will blow NATO out of the water. Europeans do not see Russia as a threat but a trading partner and their most important energy supplier.

The policies of the UK, the US and Tony Blair are way to the right of Euro zone countries. The EU already has credibility problems (that's why the voters threw out the constitution).

Making Tony Blair president could turn the whole thing into a farce in the eyes of the people .
Danny Cunnington. Holland.

Danny Cunnington, Antwerp, Holland

I am going to go against the grain here. I think as long he is not allowed to propose any invasions he will be a great EU president. I am very pro EU and would love to see us able to really have an open market so Amazon can send me electrical goods, I can set up a pan european online business and Tescos can deliver my groceries to the door while I am on the beach!

In all seriousness he is a man who follows his convictions, As long as Mr Bush and his war on terror isnt around he will have no one to grovel to. He got a lot wrong in the UK, no doubt however he is a genuine leader who can make a difference. I would love to see a fair, open and competitive EU. With Sarkozy by his side I think he could make a real difference. His constant smirk is the best british export we have produced recently apart from Mad cow disease. Anyway if he is in Briussels he is not in England, thats good news for everyone

john, Rethymno, crete

In his article former French President Edouard Balladur speaks of who should lead Europe in the new role of President set out in the new Treaty just ratified by the French parliament.Unfortunately for him and other Europhiles at alla costs there is no need "to be completely in step" with the EU or " to be determined to build the indipendence if Europe" because there is a increasingly palpable feeling, not only in Britain, but also in Continental Europe that Europe is distant from the people it should represent.What is the point of having an indipendent Europe both diplomatically and militarily when the same borders of Europe are disputed?
Who would fight to defend a bunch of bureaucrats dwelling in a pleasant buliding in Brussels anyway?
There is without any doubt a lack of leadership.
I think Mr. Blair would be a great leader in a moment when there is very little to say about Europe.
Call it spin, but what Europe is lacking today is a narrative of belonging and a vision of a shared future.

Frederick, Milan,

I agree with you and I agree with rwn. We need someone who is a committed Europhile and appreciates the variety of Europe and what it could do to constrain an anglosaxon monoculture and help maintain world security.

Henry Percy, London, UK

The qualfying factor for any prospective candidate for President of the EU, should be getting more votes than anybody else. But the EU president will be appointed not elected as Mr Balladur spuriously claims.

M Simpson, Manchester, UK

I thought we had seen the last of Blair. Is he still here? I nominate him for our Ambassador to Baghdad.

Max , London,

I take it we can vote for a president like the USA?

Mike, Islweworth, Middlesex, England

Yes, he should resign - -not just sharia law, what about disbelief in the Bible viz visit to Jesus by the wise men - his 2-faced approach to difficult issues viz homosexuality....
Yes he should go now

les thompson, Wakefield,

rwn, if 'anglo-saxon culture' didn't come from Europe, then where DID it come from? New Jersey? California? Pray tell, please!

Having said that, I must say that the only part of the article I agreed with is the notion that a European President must be experienced in all EU functions. "Marching in step with Europe's forward motion" presupposes that a) Europe has a forward motion and b) it is worth keeping step with. As we Americans can seldom agree on such things amongst ourselves, it seems doubtful that such statements can be more than partisan rhetoric in a much younger institution like the EU. As for encouraging Europe's military independence. . . when the NATO portion of the EU has trouble meeting all of its committments, military independence is a long ways away.

Michael, Pueblo, Colorado, US

NO NO NO NO

peterpowell, penzance , cornwall

I am a white, British woman, aged 64 years. Recently retired from a post as training officer for a Local Authority, one of my remits was to train the workforce in Equality & Diversity and Anti-Discriminatory Practice. I welcomed this opportunity, accepting that we live in a multi-cultural society and for harmony should all be aware, and embrace, each other's religion and culture.

In the past 3 years, I have spent time in Egypt and 2 United Arab Emirates. I do not visit Holy Shrines unless I am appropriately dressed according to the Law of that Country. I do not complain that I can only drink alcohol in hotels. I do not complain that during Ramadan, there is no entertainment in the hotel. I do not complain that if I commit a crime I will be immediately deported. If I chose to live there, knowing the Law of the Country, I would adhere, and respect it!

Britain also has a culture, is a Christian country, and has Laws. But it has no backbone now!

carol , Middlesbrough, Teesside

It would appear that there is not going to be enough time for a thorough 'picking-apart' of the treaty, especially in light of parliament shortening their debate.

My general opinion on the treaty as a whole, is that it is fine, if taken for what it is.
ie A treaty on the workings of the EU - or put another way, an EU constitution.

It is however, illegal in international law, except where the peoples of each EU country have an opportunity to vote on it.

International law recognises the right of self-determination. This right is inalienable and cannot thus be challenged.

International law also recognises that this right flows to the people. The right is not conferred on nations or governments.

Any treaty that cedes sovereignty, in whatever measure, to another authority, without the consent of the people(not their representatives), is therefore illegal.

I shall be putting this question to a vote, in the UK Democracy pages at www.myverdict.net.

Roy

Roy Daine, Liverpool, England

Apart from the fact that Gordon Brown temporarily resides at 10 Dewning Street, is there a good reason why we need an EU President to represent this country?

MarkS, Leeds,

This analysis by Edouard Balladur is a little unfair. Tony Blair did everything he possibly could to sell British interests down the river. Blair certainly tried to sign up for the Euro and would have done so if he could have persuaded the party. The complaint about Schengen is way off the mark too. Blair ran a regime that welcomes anybody and everybody to the UK. Indeed, it seems the less they are likely to contribute the more welcome he made them.

A deeply deluded, vain and despised Mr Blair seems an ideal figurehead for the so called European Union.

pr, abroad,

I'm surprised that nobody has commented about the need for an EU President. Once again we are getting silently dragged down the road to becoming the United States of Europe without any reference to the electorate. European Constitution, European Bill of Rights, European President. You can bet your bottom dollar, (euro), that the powers of the European President will be slowly and silently expanded until national leaders are paying homage to him and we have lost control of what happens in our own country. As if we hadn't lost it already.

Michael Pearson, Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA

How tedious that the anti-EU brigade interpreted M.Balladur's article as an invitation to express their contempt for the institution. The topic was not about whether we should have an EU president, but about Tony Blair's suitability for the role.

Shake your bonnets out people, it sounds like you've got a bee in there!

housecat, London,

No problem. Blair won't take the job. There isnt enough money in it.

Pete Hodge, Skelmersdale,

Edouard Balladur was a good prime minister, but he's lost the plot since. On Tony Blair: is he to be vetoed because of the views of his countrymen (who don't like the Euro, Schengen, fiscal harmonisation) or for his own views (though more than half the EU governments supported him on Iraq in the letter that angered Chirac so pleasingly).

As for acting militarily independently of America - that's a bad idea for the EU (or China or Iran or Brazil or Russia..). Name one theatre where the EU has been successful militarily without the US. Bosnia proves the US needs to be involved in any meaningful action unless the EU raises its defence budget.

JA, London,

What a country this is becoming.
We have politicians that are openly corrupt.
We have clergyman suggesting we introduce new legal systems.
We have service men being killed for what?
We have criminal youths laughing at their sentences.
I could go on & on.....
Why cant we find an intelligent leader with integrity in this realm to sort out the mess.

karin arkinstall, skelmersdale, england

Good points made in the article.

On a less serious level, who does this guy think he is? It is a pity that there wasn't a title of World President. Then he could say 'it's all mine'. It's great that he's not in financial difficulty. With his inane grin he's an all-round good spud. Give Blair a real job, someone ... one with lashings of kudos and lots of money. World stage needed.

R McB, UK,

"Before the end of the year, there will be a new European Union treaty..." This says all you need to know about the EU. No debate. No dissent. No referendums. No democracy.

Bystander, Lincoln, UK

"...its president, who will be elected for two and a half years.". Yeah right. And I bet you a pound to a penny it wont be an election in the real sense i.e. one that you and I can take part in. It will be a Euro-stitch up, the outcome decided by horse-trading behind closed doors. You wait and see if I'm right.

UKIP member, Twickenham, Middlesex

If Tony Blair became EU President then one could say he bought
that, with part of Britain's rebate he gave away, which at the time appeared to be for nothing.
Then we can say the EU is synonymous with sleaze .
Where it is a politician's paradise: earning plenty of money with little accountability that effect peoples lives and livelihood.
Wasn't Communistism like that.
Joni Mitchell was right - you don't what you've got till its gone.

A Walton, Leicester , England

TB has been lining this up for years - matey Peter Mandelson as European Commissioner to soften them up, giving away our VAT rebate to seem like a good little European, negotiating a treaty which HAS a European President...

President Blair is the only title big enough to fill his almost limitless ego.

Lets hope, for poetic justice's sake, he don't get it!

stuart, St Albans, UK

M. Balladur fails to recognise the caucus of the British Labour Party may for some time have had a hidden agenda in respect of their domination of Europe, The progression and timing of Brown's into Dowing Street with Blair, the nominee of the USA, waiting in the wings is more than just a co-incidence. I think smoke and mirrors are in play here.

Robert El-Cid, Hull., East Yorks.,

Balladur is correct : Europe must be independent - of China, Russia & America.

Balladur is correct : Europe must have a President who has a track record of supporting a strong and independent EU.

Balladur is correct again : no EU President should be elected if the economic and foreign policies of his/her home contry undermine their commitment to a strong and independent EU.

Blair is an opportunist. Bliar does not speak for Europe. He speaks for himself and a desire always to "spin" his way into headlines.

James, Salisbury, UK

What are his qualifications, exactly? Knows how to mess up a country. Knowledge of unwinnable wars. Never liked the European thing - used to send Brown to lecture European finance ministers on how to run a successful economy (!), boring speaker according to Chinese provincial officials. David Beckham would be a much better choice - knows Europe, has lived there, is honest and popular. And doesn't kick a long ball into touch, which Blair did all the time.

john problem, winchester, uk

As a Brit expat living in Athens I have to agree with M Balladur but that is not to say TB may ultimately be selected. I lived in Germany for a time in the heart of the EU and it was then that I realised the UK is not "European" in the full sense of that term. Nor is Greece for that matter. Greece and the UK live on the fringes geographically, linguistically and culturally - and, of course, religiously, as the election of the new Orthodox Archbishop of Greece demonstrably proved. The UK's monarch is also sui generis. There is, however, one event which could tip the balance in TB's favour: the probable election of a Conservative govt in 2010 arising out of a fractious (non-) referendum debate. European leaders would be afraid that this could lead to the EU's unravelling. It will most certainly lead to the distancing of the UK from the EU. With that prospect in mind, the EU may look to TB to re-enact the Northern Ireland peace proces between the protagonists.

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

Tony Blair has great qualities? are you kidding? Oh, well yes, he did do to this country what Hitler and Napoleon couldn't, that is bring it to its knees, but I don't think that qualifies as great qualities. Mind you, the European Uberstate probably does want to reward St Tony, with the fuhrership.

David, Wolverhampton,

If an elected President is simply grafted onto the current EU power structure, he will simply be a useless appendage. Some might think that Tony Blair fits the bill perfectly.

The essential first step in bringing democracy to the EU is to have direct election by the citizens of all commissioners. And, just as important, recall votes for those commissioners who are found not to be doing their job.

If we don't have that, everything else is just window dressing.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

M.Balladur is quite wrong to suggest the new president will be elected. He will be chosen, behind closed doors,by a few insiders.

Tim Hedges, Panicale, Italy

Why is it a sine qua non that the EU must do more to reinforce its presence in the military and diplomatic fields and must do so in a way that is independant of America ? Name one instance of the EU asserting itself in a constructive and honourable way since the end of the Cold War on any major issue.

Brian, Hong Kong, SAR

Prediction: Mr. Blair will serve as the U.S. Secretary of State. Perfect!

Russ Armstrong, Becker, Minnesota

M. Balladur's piece reeks with the resentment of a lesser man, a failed French leader, at Tony Blair's far more substantial abilities and successes. If we can't have Blair as our PM, I say Blair for President!

David, Ely, UK

" it participates neither in the euro nor in the Schengen zone. It has constantly sought to block the fiscal and social harmonisation that would facilitate exchanges within the EU."

So Blair resisted the merging of the sovereign states in to one country, and preserved the meaning of the word "union". If there are no borders there is no union, rather a monad. Very Buddhist, very unchristian. This treaty effectively removes borders: the borders on the map become meaningless. Everyone is forced to the same step, and there will be no other example to learn from.

Few want the EU to become one single country, one sovereignty. But that is what is happening. And further with dramatic loss of democratic enfranchisement: the EU commission is not far off being a Dictatorship of Committee.

If our friendly Vladimir takes it upon himself to become restless with the power he already has he will find the EU well prepared for his rule.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

So Blair cannot be EU president because he is not sufficiently anti-American and he didn't endanger the UK's economy or security by adopting the euro and Schengen treaty? Despite the fancy title, the fact is that the new post will not be equivalent to that of a national leader. If "...the presidents of the United States and of Europe..." ever sit down together it will be for symbolic reasons only. The EU president will not have been elected by the people, and he will not be head of a nation state. Given the conflicting interests of EU countries and the power of the Brussels bureaucracy, it is unlikely he will even be able to make decisions on things like trade. It is a non-job - figurehead of an organisation pretending to be a country. Why would Blair want it? Sounds perfect for the guy from Luxembourg!

Dominic Q, Hong Kong,

I agree with Edouard

Tony Blair and the Americans are not Europeans. Anglosaxon derived cultures are quite different from euro cultures.
I am a dual citizen and have spent enough time in Europe to disqualify myself as a representative of that culture. I really like the cultures of France and Germany and holland etc. The euro culture has elements of the worldwide perenial philosophical monied middle class but not enough to appoint a george bush or a tony blair. The Euroculture for me is an exciting place and I would be happy to vote for someone who loves europe and will recognise that the new europe is seperate from Nato and the C20 . I would vote for someone who understands that many of the smaller nations can make real contributions not just build up the consumer base.I would vote for someone who is unashamably european and will protect the currency ,Social justice, the enviroment and insist that our trading partners do the same.. I would vote for someone that will recognise that the French are French and the germans are germans and the dutch are dutch and nothing can change that. I would vote for someone that knows that the new europe really can make a difference in our damaged world.

rwn, muston,