Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LUXEMBOURG569
2006-10-25 06:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Luxembourg
Cable title:
JUNCKER TRIES TO STOP SPECULATION ABOUT A SUCCESSOR AND HIS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHLE #0569 2980646 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 250646Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5639 INFO RUEHXQ/ALL EUROPEAN UNION POST COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000569
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL:10/23/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL EUN LU
SUBJECT: JUNCKER TRIES TO STOP SPECULATION ABOUT A SUCCESSOR AND HIS
POSSIBLE MOVE TO AN EU POST
Classified by CDA Steven H. Kraft, Reasons 1.5 b and d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000569
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL:10/23/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL EUN LU
SUBJECT: JUNCKER TRIES TO STOP SPECULATION ABOUT A SUCCESSOR AND HIS
POSSIBLE MOVE TO AN EU POST
Classified by CDA Steven H. Kraft, Reasons 1.5 b and d.
1. (U) Popular Luxembourg Prime Minister and chairman of the
Eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker, tried to end speculation about who
will succeed him during the October 21 conference of his governing
Christian Social People's Party (CSV). He surprised the party
faithful by announcing that he was tired of all the talk about his
possible successor and stated that he "planned to run again" in the
next general election in 2009. He added that he had no plans for a
"career in Europe," seeking to dampen rumors - prevalent since 2004 -
that he wants a leadership position in the European Union.
2. (C) COMMENT: Juncker's announcement may have been intended in
part to preempt political critics who emphasize a "Luxembourg-first"
policy in contrast to Juncker's more EU-centric reputation. It may
also have been designed to head off a possible succession struggle
between Justice Minister Luc Frieden and Labor Minister Francois
Biltgen, both of whom remain close to Juncker and are considered
front runners to replace him. Despite this recent development and
his 2004 decision to reject the presidency of the European Commission
and continue to serve as Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Juncker will
likely remain an attractive candidate for a senior EU position
because of his leadership of the Eurozone and his proven capacity to
build bridges and broker compromise among the bigger EU powers.
KRAFT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL:10/23/2011
TAGS: PGOV PREL EUN LU
SUBJECT: JUNCKER TRIES TO STOP SPECULATION ABOUT A SUCCESSOR AND HIS
POSSIBLE MOVE TO AN EU POST
Classified by CDA Steven H. Kraft, Reasons 1.5 b and d.
1. (U) Popular Luxembourg Prime Minister and chairman of the
Eurozone, Jean-Claude Juncker, tried to end speculation about who
will succeed him during the October 21 conference of his governing
Christian Social People's Party (CSV). He surprised the party
faithful by announcing that he was tired of all the talk about his
possible successor and stated that he "planned to run again" in the
next general election in 2009. He added that he had no plans for a
"career in Europe," seeking to dampen rumors - prevalent since 2004 -
that he wants a leadership position in the European Union.
2. (C) COMMENT: Juncker's announcement may have been intended in
part to preempt political critics who emphasize a "Luxembourg-first"
policy in contrast to Juncker's more EU-centric reputation. It may
also have been designed to head off a possible succession struggle
between Justice Minister Luc Frieden and Labor Minister Francois
Biltgen, both of whom remain close to Juncker and are considered
front runners to replace him. Despite this recent development and
his 2004 decision to reject the presidency of the European Commission
and continue to serve as Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Juncker will
likely remain an attractive candidate for a senior EU position
because of his leadership of the Eurozone and his proven capacity to
build bridges and broker compromise among the bigger EU powers.
KRAFT