Sunday, November 2, 2014

The Beginning of the Breakup of the EU?

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, is reported to have warned the UK prime minister that she is prepared to consider a British exit from the EU if there is a move to change the rules on freedom of movement, reports FT.

According to the news magazine Der Spiegel, Merkel fears that David Cameron is leading the UK to the “point of no return”. She is said to have made clear to him that any attempt to restrict immigration from fellow member states will result in Germany withdrawing support for efforts to keep Britain in the union.

Citing sources in the chancellor’s office and the German foreign ministry, Der Spiegel reported that Berlin now regards a British exit as a possibility.

Or is it just public posturing by Merkel to help Cameron and muscle the Brits?

FT reports:
[I]t emerged over the weekend that Mr Cameron might now be modifying his initial plans to impose quotas on low-skilled EU migrants to appease Ms Merkel. The Sunday Times newspaper reported that Downing Street was focusing instead on stretching existing commission rules “to their limits” by deporting migrants from member states unless they are able to support themselves within three months of arrival.
But do the anti-EU Brits have enough muscle of their own? FT again:
Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, responded gleefully to the reports of Ms Merkel’s warning on Sunday, suggesting this undermined the prime minister’s strategy of negotiating a new deal with the EU, rather than leaving the bloc. “German paper Der Spiegel reports Berlin wants UK EU exit if we try and limit immigration. Still think you can renegotiate, Mr Cameron?” Mr Farage tweeted.

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