Borrell on the move

The exit strategy is almost in place. When Josep Borrell steps down as president of the parliament next week, it seems that he will be heading for the chairmanship of the development committee, ousting Luisa Morgantini, the far-left Italian MEP who has led the committee since 2004. Borrell had had his eye on the chairmanship of the energy, industry and research committee – UK Conservative MEP Giles Chichester's job. But as the Spanish Socialist delegation only has 24 MEPs compared to the UK Tories' 27, Borrell has been unable to dislodge Chichester.
A deal between the Socialist group and the Liberals prevented him from replacing French Liberal Jean-Marie Cavada's post as president of the civil liberties committee. Borrell's friends say that he has much enjoyed the foreign travel involved as president of the Parliament.
Chairing the development committee will give him the opportunity to carry on travelling – better that than have to sit through a plenary debate.