THE E.U.: Leaders And Their Egos Jostle For Power.

NYTIMES/

There are signs of a growing tension in EU leadership after Spain took possession of the presidency with grand plans even though the position has been diminished by the recently adopted Lisobon Treaty.
Until the Treaty came into force, the E.U. preisdency rotated in six-month terms among all the bloc’s nations. While this bewildered the world and sapped the E.U. of continuity, the system brought prestige to national capitals. Some nations now seem reluctant to surrender the limelight.
Like Spain, Hungary and Poland look especially keen to hog the future spotlight.