EU trip marks start of presidency campaign

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern began a three-day trip to EU member countries yesterday, which is generally seen as the start of his campaign to become the president of the European Union next year.

While the new post of permanent president depends on whether Ireland and the other member states ratify the Lisbon Treaty, politicians have already begun putting their names forward for the job.

Mr Ahern’s first stop was Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, which holds the six-month EU presidency until the end of June.