A CAMPAIGN is under way to have former Irish president Mary Robinson considered for the new post of president of the European Council, which will be established when the Lisbon Treaty comes into effect.
An online petition has been launched and a website set up by those campaigning for Ms Robinson to be appointed to the position, which is expected to go to a former prime minister of an EU member state.
Most of the speculation has centred on former British prime minister Tony Blair, but strong objections to his appointment have been expressed in a number of EU states. Former taoiseach John Bruton has also figured in some of the speculation.
A message canvassing support for Ms Robinson has been circulated by Michael Farrell, a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission. The message reads: “Dear friends, a citizens’ campaign has been started to propose former president and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, for the new post as president of the EU.
“The selection of Mary Robinson would send a signal that the EU is concerned about social exclusion, racism and the protection of human rights and the new president would hopefully be able to exert some influence on EU policies both within Europe and in the wider world. The candidate most mentioned at the moment is Tony Blair, who would not send out those signals. The EU leaders meet on October 29th and while the appointment will not be decided on then, the discussion about the post will begin in earnest. If there was a strong grassroots groundswell in favour of Mary Robinson, it might influence them. There is a petition to sign at www.maryrobinson.eu/petition.html and the campaign has a website at www.maryrobinson.eu where you can also sign up and add to the list of supporters on Facebook.”
The website says the campaign started on October 5th and within days more than 2,500 people had joined the Facebook group and coverage began appearing in blogs and news sites across the internet.
“We have received support from all over Europe and beyond and there is a real sense of excitement and potential. We need to keep the momentum going, however, so we appeal to each person to pass on the links and information.”
The website adds that throughout her career, Ms Robinson has shown herself to be a person of utmost integrity and principle, first as president of Ireland and then as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“She was the first woman to serve in either of these positions, and has spent most of her life as a human rights advocate. In Ireland social justice and inclusiveness were the hallmarks of Mary Robinson’s presidency, and she is credited by many as having revitalised and liberalised a previously conservative political office.”