Edmund Stoiber will ascend to a European Union post next month.

European Commission (EC) President José Manuel Barroso announced last week that Stoiber will be the chairman of a 15-member committee aiming to reduce bureaucracy within the EU. After Stoiber’s scheduled resignation from the Bavarian premiership and leadership of the Christian Social Union on October 9, he will assume the mantle of chairmanship for the High Level Group of Independent Stakeholders on Administrative Burdens. This panel will consist of experts in the fields of science, business, academics, the economy and politics. Their goal will be to streamline the EU, to cut away bureaucratic red tape, and to eliminate administrative burdens.

“Mr. Stoiber is a committed European and an outstanding personality of high repute and with more than 30 years of experience at political, legislative and administrative levels,” stated Barroso. “He has personally been involved at the forefront of efforts to improve legislation in Bavaria, Germany and Europe. I am therefore delighted to count on his important contribution to what is a flagship project for the Commission.”

Barroso’s confidence in Stoiber’s contributions seems to be well placed. Under Stoiber’s leadership, the ancient state of Bavaria has become a hub for modern industry and technology. Its economy is performing better than anywhere else in Germany.

The EC wants administrative burdens cut by 25 percent over the next four years. Barroso and the EC have faith that Stoiber can do for Europe what he did for Bavaria.

Stoiber himself is very optimistic. “My belief has always been that Europe has to become people-oriented and less bureaucratic,” he commented. “I’m happy that I can now put that into practice, as citizens and businesses all over Europe will gain a real advantage from the cutting of red tape.”

After Stoiber’s visit to Russia this past July, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented that, “Apparently, Stoiber seeks to ascend to an international status as a mediator of sorts, following his scheduled retirement in September.” This is exactly what has happened. Stoiber will be head of an appointed panel to critique the EU, recommend how it can be operated more efficiently, and counsel it on how to reduce the administrative burdens created by bureaucracy.

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote in May 2002, “Stoiber has vision for Germany, and he plans on taking the EU with him …. He wants a strong ‘federation’ within the EU.” His new EU post is to counsel the EU on how to strengthen such a “federation.“

The Trumpet is watching for a charismatic, organizational genius to emerge as a strongman to lead a united Europe. Is Edmund Stoiber that man?