Polish PM named EU president

Published August 31, 2014

BRUSSELS: EU President Herman Van Rompuy appeared to reveal the name of his successor on Saturday as an open microphone caught him confirming Polish premier Donald Tusk was the pick to Cyprus’s curious leader.

“We have news? I understand that Donald is OK?” Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades was heard asking Van Rompuy on a video feed of EU leaders entering a summit room for talks to fill two key jobs and discuss the crisis in Ukraine.

“No no... Yes but keep it...” Von Rompuy is heard saying, before gesturing Anastasiades to keep the news to himself.

Backed by Germany, Tusk seems to have overcome a personal clash with British Prime Minister David Cameron over migration policy to be favourite to replace Van Rompuy.

An EU source said a decision had not yet be taken, with leaders still in talks over the Ukraine crisis.

Published in Dawn, August 31th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...