22/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 21 October, German MEPs Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (FDP), Jo Leinen (SPD), Klaus-Heiner Lehne (CDU), Herbert Reul (CDU) and Luxembourg Socialist Robert Goebbels submitted a written declaration on the nomination of the new President of the European Council. According to the text, which has to be signed by at least half of all MEPs within a maximum period of three months for it to be deemed a resolution adopted by the European Parliament, the new president must be able to demonstrate his/her ability to take the European Union forward towards ever closer union between the peoples of Europe. He/She should come only from a member state which had adopted or was intent on adopting the single European currency, was a member of the Schengen area and did not oppose the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This “anti-Blair” petition, as Goebbels described it, will only be available for signature at the start of the next plenary session, in Brussels on Wednesday 11 November. (O.J./transl.rt)