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The view from the EU: 'Cameron's Europe à la carte is not an option' The view from the EU: 'Cameron's Europe à la carte is not an option'
(35 minutes later)
Serving notice that he may be the politician who leads Britain out of the European Union, David Cameron has probably weakened his hand in crucial negotiations in a fortnight over the EU's seven-year, trillion-euro budget.Serving notice that he may be the politician who leads Britain out of the European Union, David Cameron has probably weakened his hand in crucial negotiations in a fortnight over the EU's seven-year, trillion-euro budget.
He may also be already provoking a Franco-German rapprochement after months of froideur between Berlin and Paris, complicating the prime minister's quest for a second-term radical overhaul of the UK's position in Europe and therefore the world.He may also be already provoking a Franco-German rapprochement after months of froideur between Berlin and Paris, complicating the prime minister's quest for a second-term radical overhaul of the UK's position in Europe and therefore the world.
Whether the speech was a jumble of contradictions laced with a string of hypotheticals or a skilful attempt to placate a long list of very different constituencies, the biggest relief in Brussels and other EU capitals was that Cameron failed to spell out precisely what powers he wants to claw back from Brussels.Whether the speech was a jumble of contradictions laced with a string of hypotheticals or a skilful attempt to placate a long list of very different constituencies, the biggest relief in Brussels and other EU capitals was that Cameron failed to spell out precisely what powers he wants to claw back from Brussels.
The instant reaction was less than generous. "Cameron's Europe à la carte is not an option," said the president of the European parliament, Martin Schulz, tipped as a contender to be next commission chief.The instant reaction was less than generous. "Cameron's Europe à la carte is not an option," said the president of the European parliament, Martin Schulz, tipped as a contender to be next commission chief.
The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, said the same and took a dig at the British by reversing Tory taunts during last year's French presidential elections. He said if Britain left the EU, France would "roll out the red carpet for businessmen" fleeing the UK.The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, said the same and took a dig at the British by reversing Tory taunts during last year's French presidential elections. He said if Britain left the EU, France would "roll out the red carpet for businessmen" fleeing the UK.
"Negotiation of a new 'settlement' will open a Pandora's box of demands from all over the EU," said a senior EU official. "This will be a huge test for British politicians, diplomats and officials. They will need to build up multiple coalitions, offensive and defensive. There will be huge expenditure of time and effort at a time when economic and international challenges place enormous demands on Europe's governmental machines.""Negotiation of a new 'settlement' will open a Pandora's box of demands from all over the EU," said a senior EU official. "This will be a huge test for British politicians, diplomats and officials. They will need to build up multiple coalitions, offensive and defensive. There will be huge expenditure of time and effort at a time when economic and international challenges place enormous demands on Europe's governmental machines."
Cameron insisted he was utterly committed to saving the UK-EU marriage while threatening simultaneously to sue for divorce. Whether the partners break up hinges on what they can agree on to rejuvenate the relationship. Here the devil is in the detail and Cameron, to European relief, came up short.Cameron insisted he was utterly committed to saving the UK-EU marriage while threatening simultaneously to sue for divorce. Whether the partners break up hinges on what they can agree on to rejuvenate the relationship. Here the devil is in the detail and Cameron, to European relief, came up short.
"A list of demands would have been very negative," said a senior EU politician keen to keep the British in the EU. "There's a risk we'll shut the door in his face. It's not possible to have member states sending in lists [of demands]. Then you'll have the Swedes, the Dutch, and the Czechs doing the same. That will leave you not with a union, but with a kind of regional alliance. Anyone doing that will get short shrift.""A list of demands would have been very negative," said a senior EU politician keen to keep the British in the EU. "There's a risk we'll shut the door in his face. It's not possible to have member states sending in lists [of demands]. Then you'll have the Swedes, the Dutch, and the Czechs doing the same. That will leave you not with a union, but with a kind of regional alliance. Anyone doing that will get short shrift."
Influential Eurosceptic supporters of the Cameron ambivalence also applauded the evasion.Influential Eurosceptic supporters of the Cameron ambivalence also applauded the evasion.
"He was right to stay clear of a specific 'shopping list' of powers that he wants back, this far in advance," said Mats Persson, head of the Open Europe pressure group."He was right to stay clear of a specific 'shopping list' of powers that he wants back, this far in advance," said Mats Persson, head of the Open Europe pressure group.
Senior people in Brussels say Downing Street prepared the ground assiduously in advance of the speech, consulting intensively with key EU governments, particularly the Germans.Senior people in Brussels say Downing Street prepared the ground assiduously in advance of the speech, consulting intensively with key EU governments, particularly the Germans.
This was reflected in the speech, in which Chancellor Angela Merkel was singled out for her worries for the EU's ability to compete in the global race. This was reflected in the speech, in which Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, was singled out for her worries for the EU's ability to compete in the global race.
But Cameron's homily on the need for Europe to reform in order to compete with, for example, a rising Asia merely echoed what the German government has been saying for the past two years. He emphasised rigid labour markets and diminishing competitiveness. Merkel and President François Hollande of France said the same things in Berlin on Tuesday. But Cameron's homily on the need for Europe to reform in order to compete with, for example, a rising Asia merely echoed what the German government has been saying for the past two years. He emphasised rigid labour markets and diminishing competitiveness. Merkel and the French president, François Hollande, said the same things in Berlin on Tuesday.
And Cameron's demand that it must be possible for powers to flow back to national capitals from EU central echoed older Dutch government policy. The coalition agreement of the Mark Rutte government of rightwing liberals and social democrats contains just such a demand and The Hague is expected to flesh out which policy areas it thinks should be left to or returned to national governments by the summer. The difference, though, is that the Dutch want the same treatment for all 27 EU countries, while Cameron is seeking to make the UK a unique and special case.And Cameron's demand that it must be possible for powers to flow back to national capitals from EU central echoed older Dutch government policy. The coalition agreement of the Mark Rutte government of rightwing liberals and social democrats contains just such a demand and The Hague is expected to flesh out which policy areas it thinks should be left to or returned to national governments by the summer. The difference, though, is that the Dutch want the same treatment for all 27 EU countries, while Cameron is seeking to make the UK a unique and special case.
"Too often [Cameron's] criticisms are old and out of date and his attacks are aimed at Aunt Sallies which he has set up," said Sir Graham Watson, former head of the liberals in the European parliament."Too often [Cameron's] criticisms are old and out of date and his attacks are aimed at Aunt Sallies which he has set up," said Sir Graham Watson, former head of the liberals in the European parliament.
The first big test of Cameron's post-ultimatum authority will come in two weeks at a Brussels summit, the second attempt to strike agreement on a new seven-year EU budget. At the first attempt a couple of months ago, Cameron spearheaded the charge for big cuts, performing creditably, boosting his stock in Europe, and winning allies in the Dutch, Scandinavians, and, crucially, Merkel, who EU officials say is happy to hide behind the Cameron offensive.The first big test of Cameron's post-ultimatum authority will come in two weeks at a Brussels summit, the second attempt to strike agreement on a new seven-year EU budget. At the first attempt a couple of months ago, Cameron spearheaded the charge for big cuts, performing creditably, boosting his stock in Europe, and winning allies in the Dutch, Scandinavians, and, crucially, Merkel, who EU officials say is happy to hide behind the Cameron offensive.
But officials and diplomats expect Hollande to dig his heels in on further budget reductions and on Tuesday Germany and France said they would conjure compromise proposals, suggesting Cameron will be more isolated.But officials and diplomats expect Hollande to dig his heels in on further budget reductions and on Tuesday Germany and France said they would conjure compromise proposals, suggesting Cameron will be more isolated.
"It's a big test for German leadership. France will wake up too," said the EU official."It's a big test for German leadership. France will wake up too," said the EU official.
Between the lines of the speech, there were also intimations of weakness and climbing down. Cameron has insisted all along that the key to his new deal for Britain in Europe is a renegotiation of the Lisbon treaty.Between the lines of the speech, there were also intimations of weakness and climbing down. Cameron has insisted all along that the key to his new deal for Britain in Europe is a renegotiation of the Lisbon treaty.
Lucinda Creighton, Ireland's Europe minister, who is immersed in intensive talks with the Europeans at the start of Ireland's six-month EU presidency, said there was no appetite at all for re-opening the treaty.Lucinda Creighton, Ireland's Europe minister, who is immersed in intensive talks with the Europeans at the start of Ireland's six-month EU presidency, said there was no appetite at all for re-opening the treaty.
On Wednesday, for the first time, Cameron conceded the treaty might not be revisited. But he supported by name José Manuel Barroso, head of the European commission, who has led calls for reopening the treaty. That looked like backing a loser since Merkel and Hollande ignore Barroso and increasingly appear to enjoy displaying their contempt.On Wednesday, for the first time, Cameron conceded the treaty might not be revisited. But he supported by name José Manuel Barroso, head of the European commission, who has led calls for reopening the treaty. That looked like backing a loser since Merkel and Hollande ignore Barroso and increasingly appear to enjoy displaying their contempt.
Cameron's better-informed, strategically-minded supporters also appeared to be slightly on the defensive.Cameron's better-informed, strategically-minded supporters also appeared to be slightly on the defensive.
"Cameron will most likely get opportunities to negotiate a new deal," said Persson in remarks that also contained doubts. "He has set out a plausible and powerful case for EU reform. For this, he should get a fair hearing in national capitals.""Cameron will most likely get opportunities to negotiate a new deal," said Persson in remarks that also contained doubts. "He has set out a plausible and powerful case for EU reform. For this, he should get a fair hearing in national capitals."
Five years is more than an eternity in politics. Cameron, depending on his diplomatic finesse, may be granted a fair hearing. But there is little sign at the moment he will be granted what he can sell as a fair deal.Five years is more than an eternity in politics. Cameron, depending on his diplomatic finesse, may be granted a fair hearing. But there is little sign at the moment he will be granted what he can sell as a fair deal.