Comments on: Vote for the first EU president

By: Frank Dupont

Frank Dupont — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:05:47 +0000

An online petition has been launched calling for the election of European Union Presidents. Vist http://electthepresident.eu for more info.

By: Abdul Okaka

Abdul Okaka — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:07:45 +0000

Once again, Europe chooses a compromise candidate (the Prime Minster of Belgium). It all becomes clearer each day–Europe has had its chance in recent human history and it will be centuries before that chance comes again (if ever). The four countries that will matter most over the next half century will be China, India, the United States and Brazil. Russia will be an energy powerhouse. But Europe will continue to, unfortunately ,wobble, trying to compromise on all issues and rewarding mediocrity. I am really beginning to think that the EU may not last as long as its founders may have expected.

By: nan

nan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:34:34 +0000

javer solana

By: sarah

sarah — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:06:22 +0000

Jan Peter Balkenende is the worst prime minister the Dutch has ever had.
Our country is in chaos.
Check it out, ask the Dutch.
A women will be beter instead.

By: Peter van Leeuwen

Peter van Leeuwen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:53:37 +0000

A man of Mr Balkenende’s stature surely doesn’t want to escape, now that he has a chance to have his own slate cleaned by the Iraq war investigation in the Netherlands?

So let us have a woman instead. Why not the former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga?

By: J. Europe

J. Europe — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:55:18 +0000

What Europe needs is a candidate who knows the foreign leaders, can deal effectively with Washington and Beijng, and has the clout to be recognized by Europeans as their leader at European level. I am afraid that none of the candidates you mention fulfill these criteria. A missed opportunity for Europe.

By: Khalid Ahmed Chaudry

Khalid Ahmed Chaudry — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:07:45 +0000

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balekenende is the most suitable candidate to become the first President of the EU. He is my favourite candidate for the two reasons:

1. He is a man of extra ordinary human qualities and moral integrity being honest,sincere,polite,humble politician who have the ‘Global Vision’and not only that he is a qualified person having proven track record of his organizational abilities. Non of the other contestants can compete all of these qualities. The role of the EU President is going to be as a ‘Global Player’,that’s why EU needs someone who can win the harts and minds of the Global Leaders regarding the global issues. Above all he is a practicing Christian who knows ‘Jesus Scarified for the mankind’,and Mr.Balkenende have the potential to be accepted by the followers of all other religions. Its equally important for the member states of the EU to have him at the top because of the ever increasing role of the EU at the global level, while the world is facing more and more conflicts,wars,poverty.

2. Since the start of the EU Netherlands have been playing remarkable role in the Union (please see the Dutch financial contribution and all other constructive support for the growth of the EU). Netherlands deserve the top post by all means and I hope the majority of the member states realize this during the election process!

Few days back I attended the “European Lecture 2009″ here in the city of The Hague, where I could listen a wonderful speech of our prime minister Mr.Jan Peter Balkenende. He could prove himself A Qualified European Leader having vast knowledge of whats going on this planet.He is the one who can justify with the post and he is the one who have knows how to develop the EU for the future role on this globe.

Just after the lecture I had the honor to speak to him, in which I told him that “as a Dutch national I was extremely disappointed about the facts that a ‘very little’have been done in case of lobbying through different institutions and the media while he had very strong chances to be elected”, he very kindly told me that ” he is still a strong candidate and efforts are going on”.

At the end I would love to thank the NRC Handelsblad for providing a chance to comment on the ‘issue of our national interest’! Hoping that our print and electronic media among other opinion makers would support his candidacy as much its possible. The member states should respect the marvelous role of our country by giving a chance to our prime minister!!

By: Matthew Peace

Matthew Peace — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:42:57 +0000

Mr. Balkenende, of course, as it would be a great honour indeed for the Netherlands!