Europe Handelsblatt on German court decision on Lisbon: "for the Court there is only one real basis for democracy in the EU: the national Parliaments" The German Constitutional Court's judgment on the compatibility of the Lisbon Treaty and the German Constitution has received widespread coverage. Der Spiegel notes that, while "Brussels celebrates the judgement", the German Constitutional Court has expressed concern over the EU's democratic deficit. It notes that in the ruling the judges have formulated strict legal limits for future decisions regarding the EU, adding that if these were to be breached, "future EU law will be declared inapplicable in Germany". Sueddeutsche notes that the Court has ruled that the German government must first get the approval of the German Parliament on EU decisions in Brussels which affect core German state competences. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is quoted saying "I welcome the judgement", but Der Spiegel argues: "It is hard to understand the reason for the Euro-rejoicing". Commenting on the fact that the Court sees the European Parliament as a "considerable obstacle for asserting a representative will of the parliamentary majority", Handelsblatt notes that "for the Court there is only one real basis for democracy in the EU: the national Parliaments". FAZ describes the court case as a "loud wake up call", explaining that "as the legal challenge was initiated by both the centre-right Bavarian CSU party and the far left, the large coalition in between has been caught sleeping when it comes to European politics." The Telegraph quotes Open Europe Director Lorraine Mullally saying, "Nobody realistically expected the court to rule against Lisbon, but it is hugely significant that judges have delayed ratification until the German Parliament is given greater powers to influence EU law-making. The judges have ruled that the transfer of powers to the EU level leaves a gap between citizens and the EU." The article also reports on Open Europe's new poll of German voters, which found that 77 percent want a referendum on the Treaty. Judgement German Constitutional Court in English Spiegel Welt FAZ FAZ 2 Handelsblatt Sueddeutsche Sueddeutsche 2Sueddeutsche analysis Euractiv The Parliament EU Observer AFP Telegraph: Hannan blog Telegraph Coulisses de Bruxelles ABC Sweden fears institutional issues will overshadow its climate-focussed EU presidency Under the slogan "taking on the challenge", Sweden has today taken over the rotating presidency of the EU. Open Europe yesterday published a briefing, detailing Sweden's priorities during its Presidency. Sweden will primarily focus on working out a response to the recession, including more EU regulation and supervision of the financial markets, and reaching an EU-led deal at the international climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. EUobserver notes that these priorities may be overshadowed by institutional and procedural issues, as the Irish will be made to vote on the Lisbon Treaty and a new Commission will take office under unclear rules. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has stressed the need for the EU to reach a common position ahead of the climate change conference in Copenhagen. Sweden, he has said, would present its own example of 50 per cent economic growth since 1990 combined with a 10 per cent cut in CO2 emissions to try to convince EU partners, as well as China and the US to sign up to tough cuts in greenhouse gases at the summit to find a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, the Times reports. Reinfeldt has stressed that the Copenhagen agreement has to include all the developing countries that were effectively left out by Kyoto if it is to achieve global carbon emissions reductions. Sweden will also try to lead Europe by example into adopting a tough CO2 tax regime based on its own model, which features the highest rates in the world - an idea that is expected to encounter opposition around Europe. In an article in Svenska Dagbladet, Reinfeldt argues,"It has been said that you can't expect that countries, which are in the middle of a deep recession, will be able to afford to pay for climate change measures. In fact, we can't afford not to pay for such measures." In the article, Reinfeldt also stresses the need for EU economies to start reducing the deficits they have run up as a result of the recession. A separate article in Svenska Dagbladet notes that the Swedish EU Presidency will cost taxpayers 971 million kronor (£77.3 million). The tabloid Expressen has a "to-do list" for Reinfeldt, including "watch out for the union's own Napoleon - French President Nicolas Sarkozy...don't hurt his ego unless you really have to." El Mundo reports that Spanish EU Affairs Minister Diego López Garrido, whose country will take over the EU Presidency after Sweden, has said he is confident that the Swedish Presidency will recuperate the "political pulse" which was lost during the second part of the Czech mandate. Open Europe briefing Open Europe press release Mail Swedish Presidency website El Mundo Figaro BBC News Svenska Dagbladet Times FT FT: View from Europe Irish Times EU Observer Svenska Dagbladet-Reinfeldt Dagens NyheterSvenska Dagbladet2 Expressen El Mundo El Mundo 2 English Press Release German Constitutional Court OE Poll in German OE Poll Commission proposes EU-wide ban on smoking, including at public events Le Monde reports that the European Commission yesterday proposed an EU-wide ban on smoking in public places, the workplace and on transport in 2012. European Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said "Every citizen has the right to be protected from the detrimental effects of tobacco". Of the 10 EU countries who apply comprehensive legislation on smoking, the UK and Ireland are the strictest with a complete ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, while some other EU countries have smoking areas and others have no measures in place. However, the new proposals suggest an EU-wide ban on smoking "at public events." Monde European Voice De Morgen Die Presse Commission press release Delaying vote on Barroso would cause EU to become "inward looking" Le Figaro reports that the re-election of Jose Manuel Barroso as EU Commission President may be delayed. While the conservative EPP grouping would like to see their candidate elected by the European Parliament on 14 July, the Socialists are still arguing that his appointment should be delayed. The article notes that the liberal grouping ALDE is now led by Guy Verhofstadt, which may affect their opinion on the calendar for Barroso's re-election. European Voice notes that the Swedish Prime Minister Reindfelt has issued a warning that a delayed vote on the next European Commission president could prevent the EU from taking the lead in global issue and cause it to become "inward-looking". "Roaming rip-off" ends The BBC reports that the EU's roaming regulation have officially come into force today. Despite protests from mobile phone operators, the costs to make phone calls, and send text and data messages have all been lowered in accordance with this new regulation. EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said, "The roaming rip-off is now coming to an end". EU Competition Commissioner threatens break-up of Lloyds and RBS City AM reports that Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland may be forced to dispose of assets in order to meet EU antitrust rules, EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes has warned. Speaking at the British Bankers' Association (BBA) annual conference, Kroes said that the two banks had an unfair competitive advantage as a result of receiving state aid. According to the FT, she said "The massive aid received by banks such as Lloyds and RBS allows these banks to remain leaders in markets which are concentrated...the likelihood of significant divestments by RBS and Lloyds is strong." UKIP and Lega Nord form new bloc in EU Parliament EU Observer reports that UKIP and Lega Nord of Italy have banded together with other MEPs to create a new grouping which will have 30 members from 7 countries, allowing it access to EU funds for staff, research, and campaigns. The group launches today, and will be called either 'Europe of Free Peoples' or 'Europe of Peoples for Liberty'. Eurozone falls into deflation The Telegraph reports that Eurozone countries have fallen into deflation for the first time since records began in 1991. Consumer prices fell by 1% in June compared to a year earlier. Daniele Antonucci, from Capital Economics said that "There is a clear risk of a prolonged and damaging period of deflation. We think more stimuli are warranted from the European Central Bank". The ECB last week injected £377bn into the markets, and warned that banks would have to write down another £172bn next year. Small step forward for Turkey in accession talks EU Observer reports that yesterday Turkey was given permission to begin EU negotiations on the taxation chapter, which is a step in the right direction for its accession talks. However, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout notes that Turkey requires significant reform in the area before the chapter can be closed. Irish government launches EU information website The Irish Times reports that Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin has said that a new government-backed website, www.eumatters.ie, providing information on the EU will be established on a permanent basis and not solely as a vehicle for the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. The website will be part of a wider public information program about the EU, which has been allocated a budget of almost €1 million. Irish Times Irish Times 2 EU matters EU limits imposed on "sham marriage" investigations New guidelines have warned that investigations by the Irish government into sham marriages should not interfere with the couples' right to move freely in the EU. These guidelines were thought up after the Irish government threatened to deport non-EU spouses, the Irish Times reports. Freedom of movement is one of the foundations of the EU. Concerns rise as E-Borders plan moves ahead The Telegraph reports today that the new £250 million E-borders plan to collect electronic records of everyone who enters or leaves the UK has been met with concern and criticism. It is also feared that the plan could breach EU law as it could go against the principal of free movement enshrined in the EU treaties. The Sun reports that the EU has scrapped its 20-year old legislation banning "wonky" produce on 26 different kinds of fruit and vegetables. The rules will remain unchanged for a further 10 types of fruit and vegetables, but produce not meeting EU standards could still be sold, as long as it is labelled as intended 'for processing'. Sun Express BBC BBC: Blogs EU Observer L'Express reports that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has again decided that GM corn does not pose a risk to health or the environment. Some member states have already activated a safeguard clause which allows a country to ban growing GM foods. El Mundo reports that the European Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani has proposed creating a global "black list" of unsafe airlines, following the accident in the Yemen. An article on EUobserver looks back at the Czech Presidency of the EU and argues that "its cack-handed diplomacy and internal battles risk it going down as 'the worst EU presidency in history." El Pais reports that Spain yesterday proposed that all 27 member states withdraw their ambassadors from Honduras. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos said it was "urgent and necessary to show strength" before "the break with constitutional order" in Honduras. El Pais reports that Sweden's Pirate Party has expanded to France and the Czech Republic. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt was elected yesterday as the President of the liberal ALDE group in the European Parliament, reports European Voice. In a letter to the Independent, Labour MEP Michael Cashman says that it is "no surprise" to him that the Conservatives are joining "dubious right-wing" parties from Poland and the Czech Republic in a grouping in the European Parliament. The FT reports that the City of London is hoping to win support from the US administration to head off tough regulation from Brussels on hedge funds and private equity firms. UK PA reports that new Europe Minister Glenys Kinnock took her seat in the House of Lords today. No linkOpen Europe
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
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