New EU president to be given massive budget

The next president of the European Union is set to be chosen tonight and is almost certain to be Herman Van Rompuy, the Belgian politician. The election will take place amidst claims of secretive maneuverings in the EU and will last up to 8 hours in a dinner discussion with a £45 billion price tag

The 27 European delegates will appoint their new figurehead over a smorgasbord of fine cuisine and wines from Sweden at Justis Lipsius building in Brussels.

Media have questioned the political jostling in the lead up to the appointment and many critics have decried the ambitious moves of the union which seeks to consolidate and expand its position not just within Europe but globally. The EU president will oversee one of the largest bureaucratic staff in the world, with over 7,000 employees inside the diplomatic chambers. There have also been plans mooted to build EU embassies across the globe and even military facilities.

Conservative backbencher David Davies questioned the transparency of the EU when it chooses to make its decisions behind closed doors. Davies said the lack of democratic process was a concern which may take Britain back to the negotiating table.

Labour MP and Eurosceptic Ian Davidson said that the appointment was obviously fixed and that the EU is leaving its members disillusioned. The Lisbon Treaty has also been labelled a farce which rather than democratise any process will instead allow officials to conduct their business more freely, notably the new President who will do so from inside the EU’s new £280 million headquarters.

Whatever the result, the new President will have a salary of £250,000 and, thanks to a new move made possible by the Lisbon Treaty, have a budget for the next four years of £45 billion.