As Nicole Fontaine pays an official visit to Dublin in 10 days' time, canvassing in the campaign to replace her as president of the European Parliament is hotting up. Fontaine steps down at the end of the year and, under an agreement with the Liberals, their leader, Pat Cox, is to take over. For the Irishman to become president of the parliament would be an amazing achievement for someone who doesn't even have a party base, just a group.
While the pact between the Christian Democrats (EPP) and Liberals should hold, trouble now looms in the shape of Scottish socialist David Martin, a popular, long-standing MEP. Cox has the edge and should do it, but he has been damaged by the Republic's "No" in the Nice vote. He told Quidnunc he was confident without being presumptuous. "It is not an arrogant confidence. I should be able to mobilise a majority, but it is not automatic or in the bag."
A simple majority of the 626 MEPs would secure the presidency, but all may not turn up on January 14th. Cox has the 52 Liberals and the 233 EPPs; Martin has 181 socialists. These and the remainder are now being wooed. Indeed, on Thursday, Cox took the FF leader in Europe, Gerry Collins, to lunch to discuss securing the votes of his party and his group, which includes French and Italian right-wingers and accounts for 30 votes.
Fontaine, who has left the customary official visit to Ireland until the end of her term, will be accompanied during the two days by party colleague Mary Banotti. The FG MEP is seeking re-election to the post and is expected to make it.
As well as the usual round of dignitaries, including Taoiseach and ministers, Fontaine will visit women's projects in Ballymun and will have dinner one evening in Banotti's Ringsend home.