February 2, 2008 (LPAC)--Tony Blair, the author of the current Iraq war, will mount a campaign to be appointed President of the European Union Council, "President of Europe," if the job comes with "real powers" over defense and foreign affairs, the Guardian reports. The Presidency is a new position created by the Lisbon Treaty, but the treaty has not yet been approved.

Blair has recruited his old chief of staff, Jonathan Powell, in his bid. While French President Sarkozy has voiced support for Blair's bid, no one else has. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is cool on the idea, as is former French President Valery Giscard D'Estaing, the reputed author of the Lisbon Treaty. The smaller countries are said to be cool to the idea as well.