Rumours, hardening into more substantial reports, have circulated concerning Tony Blair's interest in the post of President of the European Council. This is a new, potentially very influential job created by the European Union's new constitutional arrangements enshrined in the Treaty of Lisbon. Never mind the technicalities, what most people (inside Europe or outside) will see, and the name they will put on it, will be "President of the European Union".

A "President of the European Union" who led his country into an illegal war on the basis of bogus intelligence and manipulated information, "facts fixed around the policy"? Whose alignment with Washington was so seamless, so fawning and ingratiating, that he is widely known as Bush's poodle? Who, in ten years as Prime Minister, did nothing to further the cause of European unity, but used his power to obstruct social progress and the advancement of human rights? Tony Blair, "President of the European Union"?

It quickly became clear that, on European Tribune, opposition to Blair's candidature was unanimous, and the idea of a petition against it was proposed.

Over the last few days, on the basis of Melanchthon's initial draft, the text of the petition was discussed and translated into, in all, ten European languages (with more to follow), and a website set up to host them. The site went live today in very rushed circumstances because the British press got wind of the project and began talking about it (Financial Times, Telegraph). Over the last few hours people have been coming over to sign; signatures are now over 400.

Though the preamble to the petition says "We, European citizens" there is no need to be European to sign up. Signatories are asked for their nationality and country of residence, and we'll be able to filter thanks to those fields and get statistics on European and non-European opposition to Blair's candidature. So, if you'd like to sign, don't hesitate!

Go here to read and sign the petition

The English text of the petition follows beneath the fold.