Section: Open Europe (UK)
EU states consider adopting UK’s reforms on migrants’ access to benefits
EU states consider adopting UK’s reforms on migrants’ access to benefitsThe Financial Times reports that a number of other countries – including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands – are considering whether to introduce a variant of the UK’s reform of limiting access to in-work benefits for EU migrants. The...
David Cameron says he will stay on as Prime Minister in event of Brexit vote
David Cameron says he will stay on as Prime Minister in event of Brexit voteSpeaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron said he would stay on in the job if the EU referendum resulted in a vote to leave. Asked whether he would stay on as Prime Minister if he ended up on the losing side, he said, “The answer...
Ciudadanos call on Rajoy to be allowed to form minority government but Socialists refuse to offer support
Ciudadanos call on Rajoy to be allowed to form minority government but Socialists refuse to offer supportA spokesman for the Spanish Socialist party (PSOE) said yesterday, “It is up to [Partido Popular] to try and form a new government. But the PSOE will vote No.” For his part, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has said he is seeking allies for a...
EU leaders show willingness to help on UK reforms but warn against discrimination ahead of EU summit
EU leaders show willingness to help on UK reforms but warn against discrimination ahead of EU summitEU leaders will meet in Brussels this evening where Prime Minister David Cameron will present his reform demands. Speaking to the Bundestag yesterday German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested Germany would help its “natural ally” in the UK and that...
Polish PM: We fully accept the right of Great Britain to take sovereign decisions with regards to welfare policy while respecting free movement
Polish PM: We fully accept the right of Great Britain to take sovereign decisions with regards to welfare policy while respecting free movementSpeaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister David Cameron, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło said that while there was not yet “full agreement” on restricting EU migrants’ access to...
EU considering emergency brake for EU migration to the UK
EU considering emergency brake for EU migration to the UKThe Financial Times reports that the EU is considering the possibility of an emergency brake on EU migration to the UK if it overwhelms public services. The proposal would build on existing safety valves within the EU Treaties around free movement which allow states to curb migration on...
Tusk: All member states and EU institutions must show readiness for compromise in UK renegotiation
Tusk: All member states and EU institutions must show readiness for compromise in UK renegotiationEuropean Council President Donald Tusk yesterday wrote to EU leaders in response to Prime Minister David Cameron’s formal presentation of his EU renegotiation demands last month. In terms of specific reform objectives, Tusk wrote that the EU is...
Government not preparing a Brexit contingency plan, Osborne tells MPs
Government not preparing a Brexit contingency plan, Osborne tells MPsUK Chancellor George Osborne has told MPs that the Government will not make any contingency plans for a Brexit, insisting that ministers were focusing on keeping Britain in a “reformed” EU, while adding that the referendum could be held in 2017 if required. Giving evidence on...
New poll shows majority of British voters back Brexit, as Leave.EU proposes merger with rival Vote Leave campaign
New poll shows majority of British voters back Brexit, as Leave.EU proposes merger with rival Vote Leave campaignA new ORB poll for The Independent conducted in the wake of the Paris attacks has support for leaving the EU at 52% compared to 48% support for staying in. It is the first time that a majority has declared itself in favour of Brexit in...
FT: UK pushing for ‘emergency brake’ on EU laws to safeguard rights of non-Eurozone countries
FT: UK pushing for ‘emergency brake’ on EU laws to safeguard rights of non-Eurozone countriesThe Financial Times reports that the UK is seeking to obtain an ‘emergency brake’ on future EU proposals in order to protect the rights of non-Eurozone countries. This new ‘emergency brake’ could be based on the so-called ‘Ioannina-bis...
