Review of the Belgian Rotating Presidency: From Political to Administrative Leadership

Despite its domestic political problems and the major challenges facing the EU, in the second half of 2010 Belgium managed the Council’s rotating Presidency effectively and pragmatically.

Belgium has used her federal political structure and experienced public administration to counter speculative fears of a weak Presidency at a time when the EU had to address difficult challenges. By functioning as a ‘caretaker’ Presidency, EU policy-making output has been substantial. It furthermore managed to give full attention to the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and the establishment of the new EU institutional set-up.