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Van Rompuy leaves hole in Belgian politics
The delight that most Belgians felt at seeing their prime minister elevated to the presidency of the EU last week was laced with concerns over what his departure from Belgian politics might mean for their own union
Ashton plunges into daunting agenda
Unlike Herman Van Rompuy, whose 2½-year term as president of the European Council starts only in January, Lady Ashton will take over half of her new job as soon as the Lisbon reform treaty enters into force on December 1
Mandelson clears tensions on Brussels jobs
Lord Mandelson was said to be furious at the choice, believing Lady Ashton had neither the experience nor the clout to project Europe’s voice on the world stage, and offered himself at the last minute as an alternative candidate.
Insight: US underwhelmed by top EU appointments
At the heart of the Obama administration there was more than passing interest to hear who would get the big new jobs in the European Union, writes Quentin Peel
Wolfgang Münchau: Van Rompuy, right choice
Belgian leadership consists of bringing consensus to a fractious coalition, exactly what the president of the EU has to do, writes Wolfgang Münchau
The EU presidency: News and analysis
European Union leaders awarded two of its highest-level jobs to newcomers on the international stage, marking the culmination of a decade-long modernisation effort
ECB unwinds liquidity support for banks
The surprise announcement of tougher standards for asset-backed securities used as collateral highlights how far the bank is planning its ‘exit strategy’ to dismantle measures taken after last year’s collapse of Lehman Brothers
Ambition behind Ashton’s elevation
Nobody was more surprised to discover that Lady Ashton was Europe’s new foreign policy chief than the baroness herself
Barnier set to win EU financial role
Michel Barnier, former French foreign minister, is set to be put in charge of the EU’s single market, in a contentious move that followed a night of political horse-trading over top jobs in Brussels
Leaders turn their back on Giscard’s vision
Valéry Giscard d’Estaing had no doubt that the president would be a towering figure on the world stage. But on Thursday Europe’s leaders turned their back decisively on Mr Giscard d’Estaing’s vision
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Comment and analysis
Van Rompuy is the right man for the job
Belgian leadership consists of bringing consensus to a fractious coalition, exactly what the president of the EU has to do, writes Wolfgang Münchau
Modesty would become Europe’s new duo
Europe needs less bargaining and more sobriety as it prepares to choose the new leadership of the European Union, writes Jacques Delors
FT ranking of EU finance ministers
In a year when finance ministers have had to throw away their usual scripts and improvise on policy, who has come out top of the FT’s ranking? Our interactive guide shows how each of the European finance ministers was ranked politically, on economic criteria, on credibility and overall
Video: View From Europe