08/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - Tony Blair's semi-official candidature to the post of first permanent president of the European Council (as set out in the Lisbon Treaty) continues to have an effect. In Berlin, circles close to Angela Merkel deny information from Paris and London whereby the German chancellor has informally given her support to the designation of the former British prime minister. Ms Merkel has not yet discussed this matter with her European colleagues and will not do so until it is certain that the Lisbon Treaty will be taking effect, German sources explain. The Benelux countries are said to be hostile to Tony Blair's candidature. Their joint memo, published in full as part of our series EUROPE/Documents (No 2524), has been interpreted in this way by numerous observers. In Süddeutsche Zeitung of 8 October, the Luxembourg minister for foreign affairs, Jean Asselborn, said quite openly: “Tony Blair does not have the necessary calibre (to become the permanent president of the European Council) either on European issues or on more far-reaching international policy issues”. In the past, Blair has always been known for his propensity to divide rather than to unite, Asselborn said. (H.B./transl.jl)