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Van Rompuy Gets Second Term As European Council President


European Council President Herman Van Rompuy
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy
European Union leaders have confirmed that Herman Van Rompuy will serve a second term as president of the European Council.

A former prime minister of Belgium, Van Rompuy was a little known figure when he was first elected to the Council president's post in December 2009, and was regarded as an uncharismatic compromise candidate.

However, his background in finance and economics ensured he had a strong grasp of events when the eurozone debt crisis struck.

Van Rompuy's second term, announced on March 1, will keep him in the post until the end of 2014.

It cannot be renewed a third time.

With reporting by Reuters and AP

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