An era of British politics comes to an end Wednesday, as British Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves office after 10 years, handing the reins of power over to his successor Gordon Brown .

There has been much speculation of how Brown will do as the UK's new leader. He has proved his ability as chancellor of the exchequer, but how will the British react to the son of a Scottish Presbyterian minister , who many consider uncharismatic, as their leader? European Union leaders, too, are wondering what Brown means for Europe, given his track record of Euro-skepticism -- he was, after all, the man who kept Britain out of the euro.

Meanwhile the recent news that Blair is being considered for the position of the Middle East Quartet's special envoy  has raised eyebrows around the world. Can the man who was one of the architects of the Iraq war really win over skeptical Muslims? Or is Bush, who is reported to be behind Blair's nomination for the job, simply looking to have his man in Gaza?

On the day that Blair leaves office, commentators in Germany's main papers consider what the future holds for Blair, the UK and Europe.

The left-leaning Süddeutsche Zeitung writes:

"Once a poodle, always a poodle? Tony Blair has never been able to shake off the image of being Bush's obedient right-hand man ... And who was it who has kicked off the discussion about Blair becoming the Middle East Quartet's special envoy? George W. Bush. ... No one can deny that the name Blair triggers negative reactions in the Arab-Islamic world. For many he is a 'modern-day crusader' like Bush. ... The suspicion arises that Bush wants to see a man who will follow his agenda occupying a key Middle East position -- which is not a sufficient reason to give him the job. Blair would do well if he would allow himself ... a break after his long years in office."

The center-right Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung writes:

"It would be a smooth transition from Downing Street into an office in the Holy Land, but there are nevertheless reservations about Blair the Middle East mediator; even in Brussels people have mixed feelings. In the region itself it is not received particularly well that a politician who was one of the major players in the Iraq war is to promote the peace process. ... On the other hand, more neutral mediators, such as from Scandinavia, have also only shown few or temporary successes. As important as mediators are, it depends above all on the actual parties involved in the conflict. ... The solution must come from the region itself."

The Financial Times Deutschland writes:

"The change in leadership could bring significant changes in British foreign policy, and not just in style. Blair's avowed goal was to lead his country 'into the heart of Europe.' Brown does not have this ambition: On the contrary, it was he who presented himself as the guardian of the British pound and prevented the introduction of the euro. ... In view of the deep Euro-skepticism of the British, few constructive initiatives can be expected from London for the time being. Under Brown, the UK will distance itself even further from the heart of a pro-integration Europe."

The left-leaning Tagesspiegel writes:

"The British argue about how Great Britain stands after the Blair era. (Under Blair) their country has become even more competitive, more successful and more mobile. ... At the same time however the gap between rich and poor, London and hinterland, industry and service jobs has continued to increase."

"The judgment of Europe's social democrats is clearer: They no longer want to know about Blair's politico-economic philosophy. Blair coined a style, the enlightened economic policy known as 'the Third Way.' ... At that time, wherever you looked, Europe was rushing crazily into the new center. ... Today it's a different story. ... Now the social democrats have experienced a volte-face and find unacceptable anything which could improve the position of European companies in the globalized fight for capital. That is not so clever."