No comment from Swedes on Rehn chances as EU foreign affairs commissioner

PM Reinfeldt applauds Olli Rehn's work as Enlargement Commissioner

Fredrik Reinfeldt

Olli Rehn

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There was no outright declaration of support forthcoming from Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt in Brussels on Tuesday, when he was asked if Sweden was prepared to back the Finnish EU Commissioner Olli Rehn's bid to get the foreign affairs portfolio in the new Commission.
      "It would not be fair on Ireland", replied the Prime Minister, in a reference to the Irish referendum - to be held in October - on the Lisbon Treaty.
      The establishment of the role of an expanded foreign affairs supremo, incorporating the positions currently held by Javier Solana (as High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy) and by the EU's Commissioner for External Affairs Benita Ferrero-Waldner, is entirely dependent on a "yes" vote from the Irish on the treaty.
     
While meeting EU leaders in the Belgian capital, Reinfeldt did nevertheless applaud Rehn's work as enlargement commissioner.
      Sweden is one of the more enthusiastic EU member-states on the subject of expanding the Union.
     
The Finnish government is pushing the case for Rehn to step into the foreign affairs job or take up some other high position in the new Commission.
      The project is being lobbied behind the scenes, as the future of the Lisbon accord remains open.
      Sweden's own Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has been suggested as a possible candidate for the job.
      Doubters say, however, that Bildt is too outspoken a type to get such a post, and furthermore he does not speak French, which is an advantage that Rehn has. Both Sweden's hopes and those of Finland on securing a plum appointment could be dashed by Denmark. If the Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen manages to get himself into line for a senior Commission appointment, then the chances of the other Nordic members would be commensurately weakened.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Tensions flare up between main government parties (2.2.2009)
  MEP Ville Itälä wants national front to be formed to support Olli Rehn (12.1.2009)

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