Angela Merkel supports Tory plan to 'give back' EU powers to member states

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Independent



Angela Merkel would be prepared to back David Cameron’s demands for a return of powers from Brussels to Westminster as part of negotiations on the future of the European Union.

In comments ahead of the German elections next month, Mr Merkel has suggested that discussions on whether Brussels should “give something back” to member states could begin in the autumn.

Privately, close colleagues of the German Chancellor have told Tory MPs that she would support proposals to significantly scale back the EU’s role in regional development. This currently consumes 30 per cent of the total EU budget and has cost Britain £21bn over the last five years.

Ms Merkel is also said to be sympathetic to Mr Cameron’s demand for automatic opt-out right for new EU laws which do not directly affect the running of the single market.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/angela-merkel-supports-tory-plan-to-give-back-eu-powers-to-member-states-8761988.html

[davidpdx]

1. The UK seems to be the biggest protester in the EU

They've already opted out of so many things and now they are using a complete withdrawal as leverage to get more. There is no doubt in my mind the EU is not perfect, but then again bringing 28 countries into agreement on something is pretty difficult.

[branford]

5. Some (mostly poorer) EU members want much greater integration which requires treaty changes.

If the UK (and some other less vocal members such as Finland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands) are already unhappy with the intrusiveness of the EU, why would they agree to further integration without something significant in return? Compromise is the essence of democratic government.

Many EU politicians believe that an EU federal superstate is inevitable. However, this view is certainly not shared by many individuals in the EU and their elected national representatives. Conflict is inevitable, and perfectly democratic.

Remember the proposed EU constitution. Even France refused to ratify it after a referendum. Instead the EU just used a back-door and incorporated it anyway. Maybe if the EU employed a little more democracy, agreement on important issues could come more easily. However, the view of the people might not reflect the preference of Europhile politicians, and is therefore far too dangerous to be considered.

For all the criticism of the USA not reflecting the will of the people, well . . ., just take a look across the pond. The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.

[davidpdx]

8. I think if they want a reduction they should join as a full member of the monetary union

which means accepting the Euro as a currency. Denmark is not officially part of the EU. Off the top of my head I can't remember which others don't have the Euro as a currency besides Sweden and the UK.

To me this is more about the Conservative Torres trying to roll back the EU.

No, the EU is not perfect, I don't believe there is any perfect system. I do think aspects of the system like being able to look for work and reside in other EU countries is something that gives their citizens a great deal of flexibility.

[branford]

9. I have no real opinion concerning EU politics.

So long as the political methods are peaceful and democratic, the extent of their integration is their business. I have enough opinions as a U.S. citizen about American politics to keep me more than busy. The only thing that matters is that the methods utilized by the British electorate and leadership to oppose the EU are peaceful, popular domestically, and apparently legal under EU law and treaties.

I simply understand the nature of the opposition to the EU and many of its policies. In many ways, it parallels American politics concerning state's rights, both now and historically.

BTW, Denmark is a member of the EU. I believe that you might be confusing them with Norway or Switzerland, which are not members. Also, only 17 out of the current 27 members of the EU use the Euro. More will ultimately adopt the currency, but the recent recession and the inability of Euro states to control their own monetary policy has certainly made the Euro MUCH less popular.

[davidpdx]

10. Yeah I do get those two confused

I just took a MOOC class on EU law which was really interesting. The professor was from Belgium and was teaching at a school in The Netherlands (one of the only two places I've been in Europe, the other being Sweden). On July 1st Croatia joined the EU making it 28.

I'm also an American abroad in Korea and have been over here for almost 10 years. The heat and humidity here is just awful this month.

[pampango]

2. UK conservatives want a "brake" on EU laws on financial markets, employment and social legislation.

Among the ideas being proposed are an emergency brake on future EU legislation that affects financial services, a legal safeguard to ensure that non-Eurozone companies are not discriminated against in the single market and a scaling back of the EUs powers over employment and social legislation.

That says a lot about Conservatives' distaste for EU regulations on financial markets, worker rights and social issues. Not surprising, I suppose, that a German conservative like Merkel would support them at least to a limited extent.

[mwooldri]

3. I think Merkel has a Eurozone problem and would like some powers back to Berlin too.

As far as I know, Germans aren't taking kindly to "bailing out" the PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Spain). Merkel is in an election year so to be seen to be doing some pulling back from the EU (opportunity for states rights to be restored) may win her some popularity votes in Germany.

So backing the UK in pulling back some rights to Westminster, gives Germany a precedent to do the same kind of thing. With German, and non Euro-zone members... and some more sympathetic Eurozone members, Cameron is most likely to get some of what he wants.

[DissidentVoice]

4. There are many in the UK...

...not just Tories, who have always been wary of the EU.

There is a movement (smallish, but vocal) to abandon the EU and create a "Commonwealth Federation" of the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the other Dominions/Commonwealth Realms.

http://www.unitedcommonwealthsociety.org/

[pampango]

6. I'm sure it is not just Tories, but they (and the further right -UKIP) are the ones providing the

political muscle and campaigning to push for getting the UK out of the EU.

I had not heard of the United Commonwealth Society before. Thanks for providing the information. It is interesting if unlikely at the present time.

[DissidentVoice]

7. The UK political right...

...holds some horrendous ideas, particularly the white-supremacist National Front.

The UCS is interesting, indeed. A lot of it is borne out of frustration in the Dominions/Realms on changes to UK immigration law in favour of EU nationals and away from Commonwealth nationals. At present, it is easier for a German to be employed in the UK than for a Canadian, Australian or New Zealander. The main difference is that Commonwealth nationals can vote in the UK and serve in the UK armed forces.

Of course, in retaliation/response, the Dominions/Realms changed their laws as well. I have a friend in Canada who is British and cannot vote. He said, "I used to be able to, until that French bastard (sic) Trudeau changed it." When questioned why he doesn't take out Canadian citizenship, he says "it's bloody illogical to take an oath to a Queen that I was born loyal to."

There are sticking points to a United Commonwealth. In Canada, the most obvious is Quebec. Australia has a small-but-vocal movement to become a republic. New Zealand would probably be the most "warm" to it as they felt probably the most stung by the UK's entry into the then-EEC.