A quote from The Daily Mail, 29 January 2008
 
Tony Blair landed another highly-paid City job yesterday to take his earnings past £10million in the seven months since he left Downing Street. He is well on his way to becoming Britain's richest former Prime Minister after becoming an adviser to the Swiss financial giant Zurich for an estimated £2million a year. Mr Blair, 54, will assist the insurance firm on climate change and "developments and trends in the international political environment". […]
 
He is also lobbying to be the first full-time president of the European Union from next year, which will pay £200,000 a year. […] At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland [Mr. Blair] told leaders he was ready to interrupt his business career to return to the political frontline. He already has the support of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is his unofficial campaign manager. But he needs backing from Berlin to be sure of a deal.
 
German chancellor Angela Merkel is said to support him privately but faces opposition from Left-wing members of her coalition, who do not want to back a man they consider a warmonger.
 
Diplomats say Mr Sarkozy will play a key role in talking her round. Gaining her endorsement would amount to a done deal.

 

 

More on this topic:

Blair to Brussels? Not to Brown’s Liking, 28 January 2008

French Not Completely Convinced by Blair. He Isn't Our President Yet, 19 January 2008

Blair to Brussels? Europe’s Oliver Cromwell, 16 January 2008

Blair for POTUSE? 9 January 2008

Europe Has Given Up on the People, 27 June 2007

Back in the EUSSR, 21 June 2007

Blair Pulls Out the Pin, 18 June 2007

Is Blair Betraying Britain? 16 June 2007