Nicolas Sarkozy: Britain and Ireland should share one EU Commission seat

Nicolas Sarkozy is pushing the idea that Britain and Ireland, countries of "similar culture and language circle", should share one seat in the European Commission in order to cut the size of the Brussels executive.

The president of France, the current holder of the European Union's rotating presidency, has floated the scheme as a way of cutting the number of Commissioners, currently at 27, one for each member state.

"Countries which share a common cultural heritage, such as Germany and Austria, Great Britain and Ireland or the Benelux countries could share a common Commissioner," German newspaper Die Welt said, quoting high-level French sources.
But the scheme has not been well received.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2517866/Nicolas-Sarkozy-Britain-and-Ireland-should-share-one-European-Commission-seat.html

Ganley tells Sarkozy that the Lisbon Treaty is dead

Chairman of Libertas, Declan Ganley, at a private group meeting with President of France and European Council Nicholas Sarkozy said that the Treaty of Lisbon is dead.

"During the meeting, President Sarkozy himself twice admitted that his own people would vote no to the Lisbon Treaty, as they have already rejected a very similar text in the guise of the failed EU Constitution. For President Sarkozy to come here and assemble a meeting of the successful no side and defeated yes side to discuss the treaty seems to suggest the people voted yes, this is a complete disregard for democracy. Last month the people of Ireland voted no, and their vote must be respected.

President Sarkozy listened to what everyone had to say - however whilst he says he respects the Irish vote - further assurances are needed that this is the case.

http://www.libertas.org/content/view/308/1/