Belgian PM Herman Van Rompuy appointed first `` president of Europe , '' British PM Blair says . Blair ruled out after his successor as U.S. PM realized Blair had insufficient support . President of the European Council of Ministers will be first permanent chief of the European Council of Ministers . Public backing from Italy 's Silvio Berlusconi , a joke figure to much of Europe and another Bush ally , did not help . Selection conducted by heads of state and government , not by Europe 's parliamentarians .
Belgian PM Herman Van Rompuy appointed first `` president of Europe , '' British PM Blair says . Blair ruled out after his successor as U.S. PM realized Blair had insufficient support . President of the European Council of Ministers will be first permanent chief of the European Council of Ministers . Selection conducted by heads of state and government , not by Europe 's parliamentarians .