On 1 December, the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force after a long journey and three new top posts must now be filled. Who will fill these posts is this autumn’s great topic of conversation in Brussels. When Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt met journalists on Monday in Berlin, where he participated in a ceremony commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall twenty years ago, the “name issue” dominated the press conference.

“I am now phoning all the EU heads of state and government to hear who they want to fill these posts. I am half-way through my consultations. When I have spoken to everybody and have a better overview of the situation I will invite my colleagues for an extra summit in Brussels”, said Fredrik Reinfeldt.

No date set for extra summit as yet

When the summit is to take place is as yet unclear, but it seems increasingly likely that it will be held in November and according to the Prime Minister, a date will be set shortly. The hope is that at the summit, agreement will be reached on who will fill the three new posts: a permanent President of the European Council, a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a Secretary-General for the Secretariat assisting the EU Council of Ministers.

Increased stability

According to the Treaty of Lisbon, the permanent President of the European Council will be appointed by the EU’s heads of state and government. The job description is not entirely completed as yet, but the President is to hold the post for two and a half years and may be re-elected once. The permanent President will contribute to increased continuity and stability in the guidelines for the EU’s cooperation and the person will work side by side with the rotating Presidency’s head of state or government. The High Representative or “The EU’s Minister for Foreign Affairs” as the post is popularly called, will also become Vice President of the European Commission. This is why the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso must also approve the appointment.

“You have to remember that the whole of the EU must stand behind these names. I have 26 colleagues to speak to and listen to but we all hope to bring this issue to a successful conclusion soon”, said Fredrik Reinfeldt.