Herman Who? Unknown Chosen For First EU President

ABC's Jean Fievet reports from London: Europe is asking “Herman who?”, after the leaders of the European Union tonight chose the little-known Herman Van Rompuy to become their first ever president. Even in his home country of Belgium, Mr Van Rompuy was a low-profile figure until he became prime minister last December. He was named President of the European Council after powerbrokers France and Germany decided to back him rather than former British Prime Minister, and early frontrunner, Tony Blair. The decision was made by the 27 heads of state and government behind closed doors at a special summit in Brussels. Another relatively low-key politician, EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton from Britain, was the surprise choice for foreign affairs chief. Her name is largely unfamiliar in her home country, where she has never been elected to public office or held a main cabinet government post. The two new positions were created to enable the European Union to speak with one voice, and better project its influence around the world. The new full-time presidency replaces the current system where the E.U. is led by a different national leader every six months. Mr Van Rompuy will be expected to chair meetings of European leaders, coordinate their work and represent the EU internationally at the highest levels. Baroness Ashton will be in charge of the EU’s foreign and security policy, as well as a beefed-up European diplomatic service. Mr Van Rompey is a Flemish conservative with a reputation for austerity, consensus-building and tough negotiating. In 2004, he said that he opposed Turkey’s entry into the European Union. President Obama has said that the US government strongly supports Turkey's bid to become a member of the EU. Very few of the hundreds of journalists gathered in Brussels tonight recognised Mr Van Rompey as he arrived at the summit. They know who he is now.