TIMES ONLINE: France and Germany are planning a new treaty of friendship and an array of other joint schemes that could push Britain to the sidelines in Europe, according to sources close to President Sarkozy.
The plan to put Paris and Berlin back at the heart of the stalled European Union covers defence, immigration, a new industrial policy and a drive to loosen what the pair see as Britain’s grip on the European Commission.
The revamped Franco-German axis may include the permanent assignment of ministers in each other’s Cabinets. The initiative would exploit Britain’s situation, with Gordon Brown weakened and distracted by next year’s general election and the decision by the Conservatives to quit Europe’s main centre-right grouping, the European People’s Party.
Paris and Berlin, reverting to the old idea of a two-speed Europe, aim to push ahead with a separate headquarters for European defence and the promotion of industrial champions. Britain wants none of that. The scheme, already far advanced, will follow this week’s repeat referendum in the Irish Republic on the Lisbon treaty, whether the vote is “yes” or “no”.
A casualty of the deal, hammered out in secret and involving all main ministries since last spring, is likely to be Franco-German backing for Tony Blair as the first president of the EU, diplomats said. The post opens if the Lisbon treaty is ratified.
Among alternatives being considered are Felipe González, the former Socialist Prime Minister of Spain, and Jean-Claude Juncker, the long-serving Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
“Tony Blair is a man of the past and the United Kingdom is no longer any model,” said a French diplomat. >>> Charles Bremner in Paris | Thursday, October 01, 2009
TIMES ONLINE – Analysis: For the past few days Berlin’s politicians, journalists and wonks have been puzzling over why Guido Westerwelle, the man tipped to become Foreign Minister and Vice-Chancellor to Angela Merkel, was so rude to a British reporter at an inaugural news conference. “This is Germany,” he snapped. “And so we speak German.”
A fellow member of the Free Democrats — new members of the German Government — attributed this brusque put-down to nerves. But something deeper is at work. The tone towards the British has become rougher; Britain has become marginal.
Germany’s Social Democrats have just been trounced; the Germans expect new Labour to go the same way. The talk today is of the Government embracing a German version of “progressive conservatism” that provides for a vigorous European Union led from the centre and not the fringes of the Continent.
Anyone who wants to share in the EU’s leadership has to play by the rules set by the French and the Germans. Officials in Germany say that this is an “inclusive” deal, by which they mean the following: the Lisbon treaty is the basis for the future of the EU. Oppose it and you are going to be left behind. >>> Roger Boyes | Thursday, October 01, 2009
