The new European Union

[kerouac2]

Yes, the United Kingdom will probably continue dragging its feet leaving until Halloween, but the rest of the EU keeps moving on.

I don't have a complete opinion yet about the new leaders that have been chosen (and who still need to be confirmed by the parliament later this month), but I prefer to think that progress is being made, even though the right still dominates.

Two women have been selected for the top two European posts.

Ursula von der Leyen, the German defence minister, should be replacing Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission.

Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, will become head of the Central European Bank.

Charles Michel, the Belgian Prime Minister, will become president of the European Council to replace Donald Tusk of Poland.

Josep Borell (Socialist from Catalonia) will become the EU foreign minister.  He is currently the foreign minister for Spain.

I like seeing a bit of new blood -- but we need to be vigilant.

[bjd]

I suppose they are all compromise candidates since none of those names were talked about much before. I recall them talking about the Danish woman who was in charge of competition, and the former Dutch prime minister. But it's good that there is gender parity for now.

Fortunately they got rid of the tradition that the oldest MEP makes the opening speech so at least it won't be Berlusconi talking.

Am I the only one who finds it hypocritical on the part of Farage and his Brexiters to sit in the European Parliament? They just want to stir things up and get paid for it. I can't wait until they are gone.

[kerouac2]

I think they will be ignored, but it is a shame that they will be paid.

Yes, there has been a lot of compromise, but that is never surprising. In fact, that's how things should work. People were saying that three days was a long time for them to decide on the candidates, but apparently last time it took three months.