Belgians May Propose Foreign Minister for Commission

Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel may become the next Belgian Commissioner, according to Belgian media reports published on Wednesday. Negotiations on the issue are currently going on between the French-speaking Belgian socialist and liberal parties. According to sources close to the negotiations, the socialists, who currently hold the Commission post, may grant the position to Michel, who is a liberal. Michel has refused to comment on what he calls "only hypothetical." The current Belgian portfolio within the Commission is research, occupied by the ex-president of the Belgian French-speaking Socialist Party, Philippe Busquin. However, La Libre Belgique notes that Michel is more interested in an external relations-related portfolio such as enlargement or development. During his job as Belgian foreign minister, which he has filled since 1999, Michel has become known for his outspoken criticism of American policy towards Iraq, as well as for his ambitious peacemaking efforts, notably in Africa. (EUobserver.com)