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[/audioplayer]In recent weeks British government visitors to Berlin have been confronted with a persistent question: when will David Cameron make up his mind about who he’ll send to Brussels?
Picking a European commissioner is a big decision: Tony Blair sent Peter Mandelson, who went on to become the EU trade commissioner. Gordon Brown nominated Cathy Ashton, who picked up the foreign affairs post. There is a tradition of Brits landing relatively big jobs — and, ergo, power and influence. But prime ministers need to send someone with enough heft and zest.
Angela Merkel is not racked with indecision. She has already decided to reappoint her current commissioner, Günther Oettinger, and her impatience with Britain’s nomination is a sign that she wants to help our candidate land a plum job.
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