Little known Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy’s credentials and calibre as the 27-member bloc’s president are already being questioned. Yet the camera-shy man has promised to forge politics of consensus and assert the union’s role on the world stage. This is a welcome development in an era when the world is longing for a new pole of power to help it address issues of peace and security in an impartial and interdependent manner.

The consensual based politics that the European Union intends to practise has come a long way over concerns of marginalisation. The expansion of the bloc towards the East, literally tapping on the doors of Russia, had raised serious questions of utility and sustainability. Which is why the Lisbon Treaty was looked up to with such reverence as it promised to erect new organisational decorum for member states. Now with that objective being attained, a challenging task lies ahead for the new leadership to redefine Europe’s identity for its multiracial inmates and for the world at large. Notwithstanding the debate over the level of compromise that member states have to make on sovereignty, a collective strategy on consolidation of political stakes and economic resources is the need of the hour. Rompuy and his men can do well by addressing intricate issues with a leadership mantle rather than ending up as mere globetrotters.

Europe is at the crossroads as far as decisions on disarmament, missile defence sßhield and realignment with Russia are concerned. Moreover, the EU possesses the clout to transform the world into multi-polarity, and bring in a new world order. Similarly, it needs to negotiate its priorities and policies with the United States, and see to it that the impression of being Washington’s backpack is done away with.

The objective and vision of economic integration cannot come through without exhibiting political courage, and the 27-member bloc should ensure that it takes the developing countries along in promoting peace and prosperity. Similarly, tackling climate change and recession are issues that will reflect high on the sensibilities and soundness of the new leadership. There is no room to fail for a community that had struggled for ages to rise as an amalgamated economic and political entity. Europe’s leadership ambiguity should now come 
to an end.