Angela Merkel
Battling for the budget rebate
A plain speaking man, Janusz Lewandowksi. This week, the EU Budget Commissioner said, not without a clear note of pleasure, that ‘the rebate for Britain has lost its original justification.’… Continue reading
18 CommentsCameron’s intervention causes uproar
Iain Dale has news of fresh ruptures in the Tories’ controversial European grouping. Here are the details: ‘Last week David Cameron held a meeting at Number Ten with the Polish… Continue reading
12 CommentsThe euro crisis is an opportunity for Cameron
Gerard Baker has written the cover piece for this week’s magazine and it’s a must read. In it, he explains why ‘closer fiscal union’, as Rompuy terms it, is not… Continue reading
17 CommentsCameron’s European balancing act
So David Cameron strides onto the European stage today, with his first EU summit since becoming Prime Minister. And early signs are that it’s going to be a peculiar day… Continue reading
17 CommentsGerman lessons
Angela Merkel’s fall from favour is something David Cameron ought to bear in mind as he looks for lessons to guide his term in office. The German chancellor could do… Continue reading
27 CommentsGoodbye Euro?
I have just visited the two countries that are making the headlines in the European newspapers – Germany and Greece. During my trip, I met officials, journalists, and key advisers… Continue reading
55 CommentsDon’t mention ze Europe
The Conservative Party’s departure from the European People’s Party came down to a choice of expediency over principle. If you are inclined to accept that Britain will stay in the… Continue reading
27 CommentsGermany to the EU: no more integration
A Conservative Party article of faith has been the belief that other Europeans are innately more pro-EU than the British. In the past, this has undoubtedly been the case. Poll… Continue reading
22 CommentsGermany, where art thou?
It is more than 100 days since Guido Westerwelle became Germany’s foreign minister and the questions about Germany’s diplomatic introspection remain. They may have even grown and are becoming problematic… Continue reading
9 CommentsThe prospect of another EU treaty is a huge problem for reformer Brown
It seems there must be discussion about a potential European Monetary Fund, and an organisation to manage Europe’s economies that circumvents Maastricht, to avert future fiscal crises. So much for… Continue reading
21 CommentsCancel the London Afghanistan Conference
In a few weeks time, a slew of foreign ministers will descend on London to attend a conference on Afghanistan. No.10 will use the event to sell Gordon Brown as… Continue reading
21 CommentsEurope: ignoring the Lisbon Treaty when it suits them
Is Greece too big to fail? When the Eurozone project was up and running, its taxpayers were promised: this was not a system where they’d have to bail out a… Continue reading
23 CommentsWhy my money is on Balkenende
When it comes to the position of the first European President, the worst thing to be is the frontrunner as Tony Blair found out the other week. As soon as… Continue reading
21 CommentsWhat would the Tories take back from Europe?
Assuming that the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, that the Conservative Party wins the next election and that Angela Merkel and Nicola Sarkozy want Britain to remain in the European Union,… Continue reading
37 CommentsSarkozy revs up Franco-German motor, leaving Britain behind
Last week, French President Sarkozy spoke to the annual gathering of his country’s ambassadors. Since he came to power, the French leader has used the annual event to welcome his… Continue reading
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