Dutch government: Time for ever closer union in the EU is overThe Dutch government on Friday published its review of EU powers, putting forward 54 specific competencies, from social security systems to flood management, which the Netherlands believes should remain at the national level. The Netherlands is convinced that the time of an ever closer union in every possible policy area is behind us, the Dutch government said. Prime Minister Mark Rutte emphasised that he would not be seeking EU treaty change or Dutch opt-outs. The BBC notes that Open Europe was the first to publish the English version of the document in full which, along with Open Europes analysis, is available on our blog.
Open Europe Director Mats Persson was quoted by the FT Weekend as saying it was broadly positive news for Cameron's chances of achieving a new deal in Europe, and shows that discontent with the EU status quo is not simply a UK phenomenon. Countries like Sweden and Germany are also far more likely to be persuaded down the reform path if the Dutch are prepared to take a lead, with the UK. However, the fact that the Dutch have dismissed EU treaty change is clearly a problem for Cameron. Mats is also quoted by the BBC, Rzeczpospolita, Deutsche Wirtschaftsnachrichten and EUobserver.
Meanwhile, Rzeczpospolita notes that many of the 54 specific proposals made by the Dutch government, such as lessening the burden of regulation on the economy, could find favour in Poland, although others such as narrowing the scope of the EUs structural funds will be resisted. Separately, Die Welt correspondent Alan Posener argues against a federal Europe, writing that the idea that progress in Europe is identical to more Europe is counterproductive.
Open Europe blog FT Weekend BBC Rzeczpospolita EUobserver DWN Elsevier RTL Telegraaf PVDA press release Dagelijkse Standaard Volkskrant Trouw Die Presse Welt: Posener
French minister: Barroso is the fuel of Frances far-right
French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg has accused European Commission President José Manuel Barroso of being the fuel of Marine Le Pens far-right Front National and other populist forces across Europe, such as Beppe Grillos Five-Star Movement, after Barroso criticised France for its reactionary stance on EU-US free trade talks. I believe that the main cause of the Front Nationals rise is linked to the way the EU today puts considerable pressure on democratically elected governments, Montebourg said.
Separately, French Housing Minister Cécile Duflot told France Inter this morning, One can today have the feeling that Europe is some sort of policeman looking down his nose at states.
Open Europe blog Le Monde La Tribune FT AFP
According to a new Maurice de Hond poll, only 34% of Dutch voters want Prime Minister Mark Ruttes ruling coalition to remain in office until 2017, down from 63% last October. Geert Wilderss anti-EU PVV remains the most popular party, currently polling on 29%.
Spitsnieuws.nl Maurice de Hond poll
FDP criticises CDU/CSU over sweet poison of additional spending commitments in partys election manifesto
German Chancellor Angela Merkels CDU/CSU party has officially presented its election manifesto today ahead of Septembers elections. The draft version of the manifesto was leaked by Open Europe last week. In terms of European policy, the party has reiterated its preference for budgetary consolidation and reforms over proposals for greater financial burden sharing such as Eurobonds. The party has also ruled out the prospect of Turkey joining the EU.
The programme which features a number of large domestic spending commitments has been criticised by Merkels junior coalition partner, the liberal FDP, with party leader Philipp Rösler accusing the party of being tempted by the sweet poison of spending money. Writing in Bild, Hugo Müller-Vogg notes, The programme can be boiled down to three points; firstly Merkel, secondly more Merkel and finally even more Merkel.
Open Europe blog FT WSJ EUobserver FAZ Süddeutsche FAZ 2 Bild: Hugo Müller-Vogg
A new Harris poll commissioned by the FT has found growing public concern in other countries over Germanys increasingly leading role in the EU. 88% of Spaniards and 82% of Italians said Germanys influence on the EU had become too strong, up from 67% and 53% respectively in late 2011. 56% of French respondents also agreed.
FT
Contradicting Angela Merkel, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has come out in favour of directly electing the European Commissions President, noting that this would be a real breakthrough for European openness The Commission must become a real government.
Spiegel
Junior partner leaves Greek coalition but government survives with slim majority
The Democratic Left announced on Friday that it would leave the Greek coalition government, cutting governments majority in parliament to 153 out of 300 seats. Elections have been avoided for the moment, and the Democratic Left has said it may continue to support the government on a case-by-case basis. A cabinet reshuffle is expected, with PASOK, the other junior coalition partner, getting more influential government positions. Open Europes blog covering the developments in Greece is cited by the Telegraph and the Telegraphs live blog.
Open Europe blog Kathimerini Kathimerini 2 WSJ Kathimerini 3 FT Weekend Saturdays Times Saturdays Telegraph Saturdays Guardian Telegraph: Live blog Saturdays Telegraph: Evans-Pritchard
European Voice reports that negotiations between governments and EU officials have resulted in a tentative compromise regarding EU officials pay and working conditions which includes an increase in the pension age, an increase in weekly working hours, the re-introduction of a 6% special levy on higher earning officials salaries, and a pay freeze for 2013 and 2014.
European Voice
EU finance ministers failed to reach a deal on bank recovery and resolution (bail-in) plans on Friday. There was a growing consensus on giving greater protection to deposits of individuals and SMEs, even if higher than 100,000. Splits emerged over the level of flexibility within the framework. Talks will resume on Wednesday ahead of this weeks meeting of EU leaders.
FT FT 2 WSJ Sunday Telegraph FT 3
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta writes in todays FT, A declaration of intent at this weeks summit will not be enough. Measures that speak to our youth and address their needs and aspirations will have to be taken. Otherwise, resentment may become the breeding ground for populist and extremist movements.
FT: Letta
City AM reports that Germany has put forward a new proposal to weaken EU draft rules on CO2 vehicle emission limits.
City AM
The Irish Times reports that, according to the Genealogical Society of Ireland, access to old parish records could be restricted if a proposed EU regulation on data protection goes ahead.
Irish Times
Saturdays Express reported that the European Parliaments visitors centre attracts fewer visitors than Cumbrias Keswick Pencil Museum despite entrance to the former being free.
Saturdays Express
Bron: politics.be
Open Europe Director Mats Persson was quoted by the FT Weekend as saying it was broadly positive news for Cameron's chances of achieving a new deal in Europe, and shows that discontent with the EU status quo is not simply a UK phenomenon. Countries like Sweden and Germany are also far more likely to be persuaded down the reform path if the Dutch are prepared to take a lead, with the UK. However, the fact that the Dutch have dismissed EU treaty change is clearly a problem for Cameron. Mats is also quoted by the BBC, Rzeczpospolita, Deutsche Wirtschaftsnachrichten and EUobserver.
Meanwhile, Rzeczpospolita notes that many of the 54 specific proposals made by the Dutch government, such as lessening the burden of regulation on the economy, could find favour in Poland, although others such as narrowing the scope of the EUs structural funds will be resisted. Separately, Die Welt correspondent Alan Posener argues against a federal Europe, writing that the idea that progress in Europe is identical to more Europe is counterproductive.
Open Europe blog FT Weekend BBC Rzeczpospolita EUobserver DWN Elsevier RTL Telegraaf PVDA press release Dagelijkse Standaard Volkskrant Trouw Die Presse Welt: Posener
French minister: Barroso is the fuel of Frances far-right
French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg has accused European Commission President José Manuel Barroso of being the fuel of Marine Le Pens far-right Front National and other populist forces across Europe, such as Beppe Grillos Five-Star Movement, after Barroso criticised France for its reactionary stance on EU-US free trade talks. I believe that the main cause of the Front Nationals rise is linked to the way the EU today puts considerable pressure on democratically elected governments, Montebourg said.
Separately, French Housing Minister Cécile Duflot told France Inter this morning, One can today have the feeling that Europe is some sort of policeman looking down his nose at states.
Open Europe blog Le Monde La Tribune FT AFP
According to a new Maurice de Hond poll, only 34% of Dutch voters want Prime Minister Mark Ruttes ruling coalition to remain in office until 2017, down from 63% last October. Geert Wilderss anti-EU PVV remains the most popular party, currently polling on 29%.
Spitsnieuws.nl Maurice de Hond poll
FDP criticises CDU/CSU over sweet poison of additional spending commitments in partys election manifesto
German Chancellor Angela Merkels CDU/CSU party has officially presented its election manifesto today ahead of Septembers elections. The draft version of the manifesto was leaked by Open Europe last week. In terms of European policy, the party has reiterated its preference for budgetary consolidation and reforms over proposals for greater financial burden sharing such as Eurobonds. The party has also ruled out the prospect of Turkey joining the EU.
The programme which features a number of large domestic spending commitments has been criticised by Merkels junior coalition partner, the liberal FDP, with party leader Philipp Rösler accusing the party of being tempted by the sweet poison of spending money. Writing in Bild, Hugo Müller-Vogg notes, The programme can be boiled down to three points; firstly Merkel, secondly more Merkel and finally even more Merkel.
Open Europe blog FT WSJ EUobserver FAZ Süddeutsche FAZ 2 Bild: Hugo Müller-Vogg
A new Harris poll commissioned by the FT has found growing public concern in other countries over Germanys increasingly leading role in the EU. 88% of Spaniards and 82% of Italians said Germanys influence on the EU had become too strong, up from 67% and 53% respectively in late 2011. 56% of French respondents also agreed.
FT
Contradicting Angela Merkel, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has come out in favour of directly electing the European Commissions President, noting that this would be a real breakthrough for European openness The Commission must become a real government.
Spiegel
Junior partner leaves Greek coalition but government survives with slim majority
The Democratic Left announced on Friday that it would leave the Greek coalition government, cutting governments majority in parliament to 153 out of 300 seats. Elections have been avoided for the moment, and the Democratic Left has said it may continue to support the government on a case-by-case basis. A cabinet reshuffle is expected, with PASOK, the other junior coalition partner, getting more influential government positions. Open Europes blog covering the developments in Greece is cited by the Telegraph and the Telegraphs live blog.
Open Europe blog Kathimerini Kathimerini 2 WSJ Kathimerini 3 FT Weekend Saturdays Times Saturdays Telegraph Saturdays Guardian Telegraph: Live blog Saturdays Telegraph: Evans-Pritchard
European Voice reports that negotiations between governments and EU officials have resulted in a tentative compromise regarding EU officials pay and working conditions which includes an increase in the pension age, an increase in weekly working hours, the re-introduction of a 6% special levy on higher earning officials salaries, and a pay freeze for 2013 and 2014.
European Voice
EU finance ministers failed to reach a deal on bank recovery and resolution (bail-in) plans on Friday. There was a growing consensus on giving greater protection to deposits of individuals and SMEs, even if higher than 100,000. Splits emerged over the level of flexibility within the framework. Talks will resume on Wednesday ahead of this weeks meeting of EU leaders.
FT FT 2 WSJ Sunday Telegraph FT 3
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta writes in todays FT, A declaration of intent at this weeks summit will not be enough. Measures that speak to our youth and address their needs and aspirations will have to be taken. Otherwise, resentment may become the breeding ground for populist and extremist movements.
FT: Letta
City AM reports that Germany has put forward a new proposal to weaken EU draft rules on CO2 vehicle emission limits.
City AM
The Irish Times reports that, according to the Genealogical Society of Ireland, access to old parish records could be restricted if a proposed EU regulation on data protection goes ahead.
Irish Times
Saturdays Express reported that the European Parliaments visitors centre attracts fewer visitors than Cumbrias Keswick Pencil Museum despite entrance to the former being free.
Saturdays Express
Bron: politics.be