EU shake-up

The Lisbon Treaty, which came into force at the beginning of December, means Spain's EU presidency will be somewhat different from preceding ones. The idea behind the Lisbon Treaty was to make the European Union more effective and efficient as a world player.

Instead, the institutional shake-up is producing an element of confusion as EU officials get used to the new rules.

One of the key issues as the treaty comes into play and Spain assumes its new role will be the resulting balance of power. The Lisbon Treaty created positions for the bloc's two new leaders: Herman Van Rompuy, who takes on the role of president of the European Council, and Catherine Ashton, who is taking charge of EU foreign policy.

Until now, that job has belonged to the EU's rotating presidency, passed around the 27 member states every six months: an expensive logistical exercise, which often confused governments outside Europe.

Balancing act

As Rompuy and Ashton begin to take over some of the main responsibilities of the rotating presidency, it may come as a surprise to some that it still even exists. That it does reflects the desires of national governments who are unwilling to give up their turn at the helm. Despite the position's downgraded role, EU member states still want to maintain their influence in Brussels.

Spanish Foreign Minister Michel Angel Moratinos, whose government inherits the rotating presidency from Sweden at the start of 2010, insists he will not try and dominate.

"The Lisbon Treaty is the beginning of a new Europe - this Europe will be led by the President of the Permanent Council, Mr. Van Rompuy, and by the High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission [Ashton]," Moratinos said. "Therefore, it will be up to them, to these two people, to manage, to boost, to represent the EU in the first half of 2010."

That may be true in principal, but in the case of High Representative Ashton, Moratinos may often have to step in to deputize, given the amount of travel Ashton is expected to undertake.

As for President Van Rompuy, he will be expected to chair EU summits. Spain will take charge of general affairs, which includes justice and home affairs, economic policies, the environment, agriculture, and fisheries.

EU transparency

Advocates of the new system say it makes sense, arguing that the only area that required a single representative was foreign affairs. Germany's Martin Schulz is the leader of the Social Democratic party in the European parliament, and he believes the old system was flawed. According to Schulz, leaders such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel played tactics and kept their cards close to their chests.

"Thank goodness that has come to an end," said the European parliamentarian. "We now have the Lisbon Treaty, which gives a little bit more transparency.

It's still too early to tell if the EU will really become more transparent, but EU diplomats insist the Lisbon Treaty will bring more consistency and coherence to the EU's external representation.

Foreign policy questions

A lot of that, however, depends on the role that is now being filled by Catherine Ashton, even though she has little in the way of foreign policy experience.

The Spanish government says it will support Ashton in her efforts to build up the EU's new diplomatic corps. Analysts say that will involve trying to suppress a brewing mutiny among EU member states to win back control lost under Lisbon.

However, Swedish Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt, head of the country ending its run as chair of the EU presidency, sees the Lisbon Treaty as a good thing for democracy.

""Now the new President of the EU council will ensure continuity, the High Representative will assure coordination in our external relations," he said."Now we will have a more democratic union with a greater involvement of the European Parliament and of our national parliaments."

The EU begins 2010 facing the daunting task of getting itself up and operational under a completely new set of rules.

Author: Nina-Maria Potts, Brussels (mz)

Editor: Susan Houlton