| Open Europe |
The Irish No campaign is organising a press conference of Europeans opposed to the Treaty today at 1pm at the Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin. Speakers will include Patricia McKenna; Harry Van Bommel MEP; Prof Dietrich Murswiek, Constitutional Law Professor at Freiburg University; Czech politician Petr Mach of the Free Citizens Party; and two representatives from Open Europe.
For more information please contact Pieter Cleppe on 0032 477 684 608 or Mats Persson on 0044 (0) 779 946 0691.
Europe
Derek Scott: A 'No' vote on the Lisbon Treaty will not harm Ireland's economy
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Derek Scott, former Economic Advisor to Tony Blair, advisory board member of Vestra Wealth LLP and Vice-Chairman of Open Europe, argues that "Ireland should have the confidence to challenge the prevailing consensus that a No vote would be bad for the economy, because it's bunk."
Derek argues that "If Ireland votes No to the Lisbon Treaty, the EU will continue and Ireland will be part of it, but if they vote Yes the Irish will find they have even less leverage in Europe than today." He says: "Those who put Ireland's recent success down to the EU and monetary union are wrong - they are the same people who say Ireland must vote yes... In the short term, the Lisbon Treaty may have little direct impact on the economy of Ireland one way or another, but over time it consolidates an economic and social model at odds with the factors that nursed the Celtic Tiger."
Meanwhile, a leader in the Irish edition of the Sunday Times, carrying the headline "Don't be afraid to say No", argued that "The government's decision to turn the Lisbon debate into a referendum on the future of the Irish economy is a dishonest trick; a dangerous one too." It added "there is no connection between this Friday's vote, our membership of the euro and the European Central Bank's effective financing of our banking system."
A leader in Saturday's Irish Independent argued that "By far the biggest lie in the Lisbon Treaty referendum debate is the 'Yes' side's lie about what we will gain by a 'Yes' vote and lose by a 'No' vote. The lie is based on a carefully constructed and deliberate confusion of the European Union and the Lisbon Treaty, for both of which we are told we are voting. It is not so." It added, "If we reject the Lisbon Treaty we reject the European Union. Many wise and powerful leaders in Europe, including the prime minister of Sweden, who is currently EU president, as well as a former president of France, have dismissed this idea as rubbish, which undoubtedly it is. The two are in fact quite separate."
The Irish Times reports that a number of environmentalists, including former Green Party members, have criticised Minister for the Environment John Gormley for making "spurious claims" that the Treaty enhances environmental protection. Patricia McKenna from the People's Movement, said the Treaty offered no new environmental safeguards, and said it was "nonsense" to assert the Treaty would help the EU to fight climate change.
WSJ Sunday Times Irish Independent: Leader Irish Times
Conservatives set for Lisbon Treaty "showdown" at Open Europe event in Manchester
The Independent on Sunday and the Observer looked ahead to the opening of the Conservative Party conference just days after the second Irish referendum this week, reporting that the party is "set for showdown over Lisbon Treaty vote." The IoS reported that Conservatives on the right of the party are mobilising for an "ambush" of the leadership at the Conservative party, calling for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, even if Ireland approves it on Friday and it is already in force by the time a Conservative government comes to power.
David Heathcoat-Amory was quoted in the Observer saying that David Cameron "simply can't fudge his way through this. He has got to either have a referendum immediately, or have a plan for one... It is a major cause of dissatisfaction. What he [Cameron] can't do is [it] a bit rejigging here and there. We made a promise and we should honour it."
The paper noted, "Hardline sceptic MEP Daniel Hannan, who wants the UK to leave the EU, is expected to step up demands for a referendum at [a] meeting of the Open Europe thinktank during the Tory conference. The event, to be attended by Tory Europe spokesman Mark Francois, looks certain to be one of the biggest crowd pullers of the Manchester gathering - highlighting that Europe remains a hugely divisive issue within the party."
The Independent on Sunday noted that Open Europe has put forward a "third way" solution for an alternative referendum on reform of the EU, even if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified. It quoted Open Europe's Lorraine Mullally saying, that, given a 'yes' is predicted, "all eyes will be on the Conservatives and what they are going to do about it.... There is a strong public desire to be consulted on Europe one way or another. So if Cameron doesn't promise a referendum on Lisbon he should hold a vote on an EU reform package, promising to veto EU budget negotiations if he doesn't get his way. The Conservatives should be wasting no time and already be thinking carefully about what will go in that reform package."
In an interview with Saturday's Telegraph William Hague said there would be no new announcement in Manchester. He said: "It is important to be clear. As we can only have one policy at a time, there will be no new announcement, no departure from that in Manchester, whatever the result of the Irish referendum." According to the Telegraph's Ben Brogan: "All Mr Hague will say when we meet is that we should make no mistake about the leadership's resolve. They promised a referendum, and democracy must be respected. If the treaty is ratified before the election, he and the Tory leader will issue an immediate statement setting out the way forward. It is being drafted even now." Hague is quoted saying: "We would set out what we would do in that contingency and it would be in our manifesto to seek a mandate for it." Of the recent ECJ ruling that employers could have to compensate workers for sick time on holidays, Hague said: "It might be a good idea or a bad idea but it should be decided here in Britain. That is the sort of freedom that we need to have back for the future."
In the Mail on Sunday Peter Hitchens wrote: "I should have thought Mr Cameron wants a referendum on Lisbon about as much as he wants a bout of malaria or a broken nose. If Britain then votes 'No' what will he do?"
Independent on Sunday Observer Mail on Sunday: Hitchens Telegraph OE on Conservative Home Independent on Sunday: Rentoul
Irish Funds Industry Association concerned over EU's AIFM Directive
The Irish Independent reports that the Irish Funds Industry Association (IFIA), which represents investment funds operating in Ireland, has voiced concern to the European Commission and the Irish Department of Finance about the EU's proposed Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directive. The fund management industry employs around 12,500 people in Ireland.
The article cites Open Europe's research, which found that the proposal could cost the hedge fund and private equity sectors between €1.3bn and €1.9bn in compliance costs in the first year, and up to €985m every year subsequently. Open Europe Research Director Mats Persson is quoted saying, "The proposal comes with a huge cost: it will hurt the EU's competitiveness, lead to more protectionism and mean less investment in European firms, at a time when more is desperately needed." The research is also cited by Irish national broadcaster RTE and Dutch daily NRC Handelsblad.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times noted that Brevan Howard, the UK's largest hedge fund, is planning to open an office in Switzerland, "perhaps signalling the beginning of a mass exodus by financial groups from London." In June, James Vernon, the firm's Chief Operating Officer, said that the proposed Directive would make it "impossible" for it to do business in the UK. The Mail on Sunday reported that the National Association of Pension Funds has stepped up its fight against the EU's Directive describing it as "misguided" and "flawed".
Writing on Conservative Home Mark Field MP argues that "I believe it is right that policymakers engage intellectually with the proposition that rewards (and super profits) be justified only in return for exceptional performance...This requires a systematic analysis of the structure of the financial services sector. Scapegoating hedge funds and private equity cannot be a sensible first step down this path."
Open Europe press release Open Europe research FT Irish Independent RTE EurActiv
Sunday Times Conservative Home: Field
Irish 'yes' could see Tony Blair become EU President within weeks
The News of the World reported that Tony Blair could become EU President within weeks if Ireland votes Yes in its Lisbon Treaty referendum, noting that EU diplomats are secretly drawing up the specific duties and role for the post which will be created under the Lisbon Treaty. Open Europe Director Lorraine Mullally was quoted saying, "Brits didn't get a say on the Treaty and we won't get a say on who becomes President."
Meanwhile, the Sunday Express reported that if Ireland votes Yes to the Treaty then judges at the European Court of Justice will get sweeping new powers over Britain's criminal justice, immigration and asylum policies. Lorraine Mullally was quoted saying, "This is a serious threat to our democracy. The Treaty will hand huge new powers to unknown, unelected and unsackable judges in Luxembourg."
European Commission attacked for "illegal interference" in Lisbon treaty referendum
EUobserver reports that the European Commission has been criticised for "illegal interference" in the referendum campaign after it placed a supplement in the Sunday newspapers, entitled 'Your Guide to The Lisbon Treaty'. Libertas leader Declan Ganley was quoted in the Sunday Telegraph saying, "We have European commissioners coming over here, putting a gun to our heads and trying to bribe us. Ireland is giving up a lot in this deal and in return we are getting exactly nothing that we don't already have."
In the Sunday Telegraph, Christopher Booker looked at how "European and Irish political establishments could scarcely have done more to push this second Irish referendum in the way they want. To ensure a 'Yes' vote, all the normal rules governing balanced media coverage were suspended. The European Commission has poured €1.5 million into an unprecedented advertising blitz. EU commissioners, led by President Jose-Manuel Barroso, MEPs and officials have been flooding in to promote the cause. However, when one or two British outsiders - including Nigel Farage, leader of a group in the European Parliament, and Lorraine Mullally, director of the think-tank Open Europe, and of good Irish stock - came over to campaign for a 'No' vote, their 'foreign intervention' was greeted by orchestrated howls of abuse."
In the Mail on Sunday, Mary Ellen Synon argued that "Brussels is trying to buy the referendum", pointing to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's decision to grant €14.8 million of aid to help former Dell workers find jobs, which was announced just weeks before the referendum.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that the Yes side looks on course for victory in Ireland's second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty this Friday. A new Sunday Business Post/Red C poll has found that 55 percent of Irish citizens say they will support the Treaty, while 27 percent say they will vote against it. 18 percent are undecided. When undecideds are excluded, even assuming a strong No bias amongst them, Lisbon still has the support of over 60 percent of voters. A new TNS poll for the Irish edition of the Sun shows 59 percent for the Yes side, and 41 percent for the No side.
Sunday Telegraph WSJ: Scott Sunday Business Post Irish Times EUobserver Sunday Times European Voice EurActiv Sunday Times: McInerney Sunday Telegraph: Booker Irish Independent Irish Independent: Leader Irish Times 2 Irish Times 3 Irish Times 4 Irish Times 5
EU farmers hose away 25 million gallons of milk
The Sunday Express looked at the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and the recent protests by EU milk farmers at falling prices, which involved the pouring away of 25 million gallons of milk. Open Europe was quoted saying, "This is a direct consequence of the EU's flawed agricultural policy which has caused the dairy market to become too skewed. This is just one more example of how the bloated EU is squandering Britain's contributions."
The article reported that the EU's £500 million "food aid for deprived persons" programme, mean to deliver food to those living below the poverty line, has been criticised by the EU's Court of Auditors over a lack of management controls meaning that criminals can exploit weaknesses and divert the aid. It also reported that Marta Andreasen, the EU's former Chief Accountant and current UKIP MEP, is investigating claims that millions of pounds of taxpayers money is being siphoned off to fund terrorism, from €1.5 billion paid to a country for improved security measures.
Sunday Express
French Defence Minister is "convinced" that the EU will have a permanent military headquarters in Brussels
Le Monde reports that French Defence Minister Hervé Morin has said that he is "convinced" that the EU will have a permanent military headquarters in Brussels. He suggested that British reluctance is holding up progress towards this goal, but predicted that within "one, two or five years, we will end up with a command, planning and operations centre in Europe." He also said he hoped that there would be "one day, a Council of European defence ministers" in Brussels, as there is for agriculture or foreign affairs ministers.
The minister mentioned as "work in progress" the reinforcement of military capacity including the creation of a European aero naval force; the establishment of a military ERASMUS programme and of a European College for Security and Defence; and the creation of a wider European weapons market.
Britons will now be forced to pay speeding fines received in other EU countries
The Observer reported that from this week, Britons caught speeding in Europe face a greater chance of being forced to pay up in the UK if they fail to settle their fines abroad. On Thursday the Government will sign up to an EU framework that will see it chase Britons for unpaid fines above €70 (£64) handed down abroad.
The Sunday Express reported that only six of Britain's 72 MEPs turned down this summer's £20,000 pay rise, under a change to the rules governing MEPs' salary and expenses.
The Sunday Express reported that disgraced former MEP Den Dover has failed to pay back £500,000 of taxpayers' money he paid to a company owned by his wife and daughter, despite being ordered to do so by the European Parliament.
Joschka Fischer: "Europe's centre of gravity cannot be anywhere else than in Paris and Berlin"
Former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has said in an interview with Le Monde that the economic and financial crisis has highlighted Europe's lack of integration but, at the same time, "we have invested too much in the European machine to let it stop". He continued saying that "Europe's centre of gravity cannot be anywhere else than in Paris and Berlin". He added that, in his view, France and Germany share a similar social market economy and, if the Lisbon Treaty is rejected by Irish voters, a new targeted approach à la Monnet led by Germany and France through the eurozone group will be necessary to push the European project forward.
Angela Merkel's CDU wins election;
Coalition talks begin with Free Democrats
It is widely reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has won re-election in yesterday's German elections. The BBC reports that preliminary results have given the CDU/CSU 33 percent of the vote and the Free Democrats (FDP) capturing 14.6 percent, with coalition talks between the two now beginning. The Social Democrat SPD won 23 percent of votes, while the Left party took 11.9 percent and the Greens 10.7 percent. Mrs Merkel's previous coalition partners, the SPD, suffered their worst election performance since 1949. Guido Westerwelle, the leader of the Free Democrats, has been widely tipped as Germany's next Foreign Minister.
A leader in the Times argues that Mrs Merkel can now "form a government with firm plans, ideological coherence and a real chance to carry out the reforms Germany needs. The result is good for Germany, good for Europe and good for a democracy that needs clear direction as well as a strong mandate." However, Quentin Peel in the FT suggests that the narrow margin of victory means that "a radical shift in policies from those of the outgoing grand coalition between CDU and the Social Democratic party is unlikely."
Sun FT FT 2 FT 3 FT: Peel City AM Mail Express Times: Leader Times Times 2 Times 3 Irish Times Irish Times 2 WSJ WSJ 2 WSJ: Leader Telegraph Independent Irish Independent IHT Telegraph: Hannan blog FT: Rachman BBC BBC: Hewitt blog EUobserver EurActiv FAZ Handelsblatt Spiegel Sueddeutsche EurActiv Welt Zeit ARD Guardian Figaro Figaro2 Figaro3 Monde Monde2 Mundo MundoAnalysis Pais PaisEditorial Handelsblatt Financial Times Deutschland Berliner Zeitung
Portuguese Socialist Party wins election
EUobserver reports that exit polls suggest that Portugal's ruling Socialist Party have won yesterday's General Election, although it lost its absolute majority. The Socialists won an estimated 36.5 percent of the vote, and the main opposition party, the Social Democrats (PSD), which is the centre-right party of EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, came in second with 29 percent. PM Jose Socrates now faces trying to form a coalition, or ruling with a minority government.
FT Independent BBC EUobserver EurActiv Figaro Monde Monde2 Monde3 Pais
Spain steps up pressure on Commission to intervene in Opel restructuring
The FT reports that Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastián has sent a letter to the European Commission, to step up pressure on it to intervene in the planned restructuring of General Motors' Opel unit under the ownership of Magna, to guarantee a rescue based on "financial and commercial" criteria, and insisting that any re-organisation of the European operations must "make best possible use of the company's most efficient assets".
Simon Hix: "the EU as it currently works is deeply flawed"
Writing in Saturday's Telegraph, LSE Professor Simon Hix argued that he believes "the EU as it currently works is deeply flawed and incapable of addressing the tough policy decisions we face."
An article in the Sunday Express reported that the EU is spending £25million on transforming Margaret Thatcher's old Conservative headquarters in Smith Square into an EU "super embassy".
In an interview with Wiener Zeitung Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, said that, "the Lisbon Treaty is no commitment" to further enlargement of the EU, and that integration is more important at the moment.
The FT reports that Lloyds faces the loss of up to a sixth of its UK market share, as part of a state aid ruling being drawn up by Brussels. The Commission has rejected the idea that selling off the Cheltenham & Gloucester subsidiary would be enough.
Roger Bootle, Managing Director of Capital Economics, in the Telegraph argues that it is good that the UK did not join the Euro when Tony Blair wanted, and "Although it dents national pride to see our currency so weak, we should be relieved about it...the pound's weakness is giving a clear incentive to exporters and acts to encourage the replacement of imports with domestic production."
The IHT reports that exporting waste illegally from Europe to poor countries has become a vast international business, as companies try to minimise the costs of Europe's strict new environmental laws that place restrictions on all types of waste exports.
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