tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post7965919144752281115..comments2024-01-16T08:40:53.682+00:00Comments on <a href="http://www.openeurope.org.uk">Open Europe</a>: Hollande's victory is an opportunity for David Cameron to strengthen his position with German Chancellor Angela MerkelOEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00556463374230498875noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-79985014037426908802012-05-08T17:16:44.008+01:002012-05-08T17:16:44.008+01:00Traditionally British interests have always lain i...Traditionally British interests have always lain in building a coalition against whichever continental power is seeking to dominate Europe, and at present that means Merkel's Germany far more than France.<br /><br />The arrogance and hypocrisy coming from Berlin beggars belief.<br /><br />Signed agreements can't be reopened?<br /><br />What about the ESM treaty signed on July 11th 2011, official photographs of the signing ceremony here:<br /><br />http://www.consilium.europa.eu/council/photographic-library?command=VIEW&BID=170&dateEvent=11/07/2011&rubrique=3736&id=&lang=en<br /><br />which Merkel subsequently had reopened, primarily so she could insert her "blackmail clause"?<br /><br />As admitted here:<br /><br />http://www.consilium.europa.eu/homepage/showfocus?lang=en&focusID=79757<br /><br />"The new treaty to create a European Stability Mechanism (ESM) was signed on 2 February by the eurozone countries' ambassadors in Brussels ... The treaty was originally signed in July 2011 but has now been modified to make the ESM more effective."Denis Coopernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-51505811637588554782012-05-08T16:48:11.754+01:002012-05-08T16:48:11.754+01:00As somebody who does not live in the UK (i.e. not ...As somebody who does not live in the UK (i.e. not experiencing UK internal political dynamics/perceptions etc. referred to by previous commentators)<br /> but who follows the European and German political conext quite closely I would feel that there is quite a lot of truth in it. <br />There is definitely a window of opportunity for such a policy. If the UK government sees and, above all, uses the opportunity is another question; <br />would make sense though, for all parties involved. The German side is probably aware of the situation and should be more willing to go down this road than the "eurobond avenue".Klausnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-76144671416484072292012-05-08T14:35:56.659+01:002012-05-08T14:35:56.659+01:00This analysis is not of this world, I'm afraid...This analysis is not of this world, I'm afraid. It is more tinkering when radical surgery is needed. You say--- "Die Welt put it: 'The fiscal pact is the best thing Europe has. Now it has come to an end even before its introduction. If it continues like this, that’s the end of the eurozone.'" <br /><br />Die Welt is right even if it doesn't approve. The ONLY solution for Europe's troubles is to kill the virus - the euro - not tinker with the cold sores. Until this action is taken all the rest is hot air. I'm pleased with developments as they can well speed up the [inevitable] solution and save everyone much pain ans money <br /><br />It's no use looking to Cameron - nobody here or abroad trusts him with anything any more.christina Speightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-7895570885538985342012-05-08T13:46:54.586+01:002012-05-08T13:46:54.586+01:00You say:
"the outcome is always that Cameron...You say:<br /><br />"the outcome is always that Cameron is isolated"<br /><br />It's not an outcome, it's a current situation, because Cameron has isolated himself. Out of the EPP, not in the Euro, opposing bailouts, talk - more or less credible - about an in-or-out referendum, what more do you need other than a giant v-sign sculpture on top of the White Cliffs of Dover.<br /><br />The idea that Merkel and Cameron will form a pro-austerity, pro-business alliance against the socialists is pure fantasy. Maybe with a Britain that had had some engagement up till now, maybe with a Conservative party that had credibility on European issues, maybe with a Britain that had an honest internal debate on the role of the EU. <br /><br />But not with the one we've got.Anthonynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-43550603692370015642012-05-08T12:01:36.023+01:002012-05-08T12:01:36.023+01:00This analysis massively overcomplicates the situat...This analysis massively overcomplicates the situation, which is:<br /><br />1. Hollande is a Eurofederalist, and he will pick up where Sarkozy left off and even accelerate the Merkozy plan by insisting on Eurobonds, common fiscal policy etc. (Merkel's "resistance" to Eurobonds is cosmetic.)<br /><br />2. This puts him squarely in line with Merkel and Cameron in propagatong and executing Eurofederalism.<br /><br />The rest is just noise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com