In-House Counsel

Will Obama be the only President of the United States in 2009?

There?s no doubting the Obama magnetism.  I?m a Brit living in Brussels but next week, like much of the rest of the world, I will be eagerly watching as Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America.  While the world has been focused on Washington, however, developments at a meeting of the heads of state of the 27 countries of the EU in December may have paved the way for another President of the United States to emerge. 

Back in June, the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty ? the EU?s efforts to redefine its remit and structures ? by the Irish voters had thrown the EU into a crisis.  However, in the December deal, described by the Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen as a ?major achievement for Ireland?, it was agreed the country will vote again before the end of October, paving the way for the Treaty to enter into force before the end of 2009.

Before those who foam at the mouth at the mere mention of the EU get excited about my headline, I hold my hands up to a bit of hyperbole. No direct comparison can be made between the envisaged structure under the Treaty and the federal system in the US.  Countries such as Finland will retain more autonomy than states such as Florida; Austria more than Alaska.  Moreover, it?s no given that the Irish will vote yes, while the Czech Republic, Poland or the UK could all yet throw a spanner in the works.

Full post as published by Cisco High Tech Policy Blog on January 14, 2009 (boomark / email).