In the array of names suggested for the European Presidency Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia, is sometimes brought up as a possible outsider.

Although she was born in Latvia, her family escaped the Soviet occupation and she grew up in Germany, Morocco, and finally Canada where she earned her B.A., M.A. and PhD in Psychology. As a result of her multicultural background, she speaks Latvian, English, French, German and Spanish fluently - an asset few European leaders can compete with and something which should be important in a European Union adamant to protect and promote multilingualism. 

During her presidency in Latvia, Vike-Freiberga was active in achieving Latvian membership in the European Union and NATO. She has been actively involved in international politics and human rights and was an official candidate for UN Secretary General in 2006. As an example of her commitment against oppression, in Latvia she approved a law to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and in 2006 she openly criticized the Riga City Council for banning the Baltic Pride Parade.

However, she comes from a country that is new to the EU: Latvia only joined in 2004 and with an economy that is far from being able to enter the EMU. But coming from a small, little known country could also be an advantage. Many smaller European states dread that the European Presidency will further increase the power of the greater nations and push the smaller ones to the side. Europe also needs someone who can show the world that there is more to Europe than Germany, France and Great Britain, and someone who is not already a strong political profile in Europe - both reasons why Tony Blair might not be the most appropriate candidate.

Some also claim that her support for Bush in the Iraq war could work against her, but the stance on that issue is not the most important thing in the choice of a president for the EU. Vike-Freiberga could give the European Union a strong voice in international politics and create a unified but multifaceted interior bond. The choice of a leader from a smaller and newer member state would also be an important signal that the EU is not just about the old European superpowers from the ECC.

Vike-Freiberga might not have as much experience in EU affairs as Jean-Claude Juncker, but with her multicultural and multilingual background and vast international commitment to equality and human rights, her nomination could be a good reflection of what Europe is aiming at.

 Caroline Hammargren holds a BA in English Literature and Linguistics and a minor in European Studies. She works as an editor and translator with base in Barcelona.