Kenny’s wife is urging him to consider move to senior Brussels role
Taoiseach thinks hard about top European job
ENDA KENNY is seriously considering taking up a European role in November – at the urging of his wife.
Government sources say Mr Kenny will weigh up his party’s chances of a return to power in 2015 or 2016 before deciding on a course of action when five key European posts are handed out later this year.
It is believed the Taoiseach’s wife, Fionnula, a key adviser, favours a move to Brussels.
But we can reveal that October’s budget may be far less harsh than the expected €2bn, according to Department of Finance sources – increasing the coalition’s chances of surviving until 2016 and even winning the next election.
David Cameron favours Mr Kenny succeeding Herman van Rompuy as president of the European Council as he feels the Taoiseach would have an understanding of Britain not shared by continental Eurocrats.
However, Mr Cameron would also prefer Mr Kenny to succeed José Manuel Barroso as resident of the European Commission rather than German chancellor Angela Merkel’s choice, Jean-Claude Juncker.
Having seen the dire consequences that came Bertie Ahern’s way after he turned down the European Council presidency in 2004, Mr Kenny is weighing up taking a job or remaining on to lead Fine Gael into a historic re-election bid.
No Fine Gael Taoiseach has succeeded in being re-elected for a consecutive term in office.
‘I think Kenny is looking at that job again in Europe,’ said a Government source.
‘And I think it’s the wife’s doing… that she realises, “You
‘He’s looking at it. It’s the wife’s doing’
can get out on top now and you can still come back and run for the Presidency here if you like, having been president of Europe.” Wouldn’t that be a lovely way in, a lovely segue?’
‘There are five jobs that have to be handed out – president of the commission, president of the council, then Cathy Ashton’s job – the foreign affairs minister, effectively – president of the parliament, and president of the Euro group,’ said a close colleague.
‘At least three of them will come from Angela Merkel’s group the EPP, so the other two will come from the socialists. So he’s in that mix, and I still think he has a very good chance.’
Colleagues believe Mr Kenny’s chances of winning the next election rest on whether he can form a winning coalition.
‘He would want back-to-back victories if he can. A back-toback victory would mean getting into Government with Fianna Fáil. It’s hard to see it happening right now isn’t it?’ said one.
Sources say a clue to Mr Kenny’s thinking will emerge in July or August if Phil Hogan, succeeds in becoming EU Commissioner.
‘If Kenny wants to stay, he needs Phil around the place. Hogan knows everyone, he knows the differences that can be made to an election ticket, he’s quite valuable,’ a senior source said.
Mr Kenny has already lost the guidance of former director of elections Frank Flannery. If Mr Hogan is allowed to go to Brussels, it is likely that the Taoiseach plans to follow him.
But an easing of austerity in the Budget could give the Government new impetus and persuade him to stay at the helm for a shot at history.
Another source said: ‘ Why would the Government implode when the easiest two budgets of the five budgets are coming up? That would be madness.