Van Rompuy likely to regain Council Presidency

Herman Van Rompuy is likely to be reappointed president of the European Council at a European Union summit next week, an EU official said today.

A former Belgian prime minister, the 64-year-old was virtually unknown on the world stage when he was appointed as the council’s first president in 2009.

But he has become highly regarded for his skills as a manager of negotiations among the national leaders – essential in an institution where unanimity is required for major decisions.

His term expires at the end of May. He can serve a maximum of one more two-and-a-half-year term.

An EU official said no objections were being heard to the reappointment.