A Future in Europe? Commissioner Confronts London on EU Loyalty

Der Spiegel ^ | 11/02/2012 | (cgh—with wire reports)

[Olog-hai]

Does Britain belong in the European Union? There are plenty both in the United Kingdom and on the Continent who have their doubts. Now, with the debate over the EU’s next budget raging, a European Commissioner has challenged London to decide. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is also losing her patience over the squabble. …

On Friday, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget Janusz Lewandowski, Poland’s representative in the EU’s executive, said it was time for Britain to make a fundamental decision regarding its future in the European Union. “Of course there are limits,” he said in an interview with the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. “We can’t finance more Europe with substantially less money.” …

[Olog-hai]

Not surprising that a member of Poland’s Liberal Democratic Congress would want to throw money at “more Europe”.

[GeronL]

EU loyalty?

is that a joke?

[Olog-hai]

If only it were. They change language now from “solidarity” to “loyalty”, so you know they now want to go where angels fear to tread in earnest.

[yldstrk]

No Britain does not. English speaking people have to be free.

[GeronL]

They want a federal state and they want it soonest

[Olog-hai]

They want a centralized empire rather than a federal state.

[Praxeologue]

We can’t finance more Europe with substantially less money

Janusz Lewandowski wants Britain to join the givers to fund the takers, who include Poland.

Do I understand this self-interest correctly?

[Olog-hai]

Commissioners are instructed basically to only have loyalty to Europe; not even to their own country. The central government is the biggest taker here. The EU’s auditors have never signed off on a single budget ever since they started having budgets. This is probably the biggest kleptocracy in the history of the planet, and the press isn’t even reporting on it . . .

[GeronL]

bump

[Praxeologue]

Is not China the world’s biggest kleptocracy?

[Olog-hai]

They’re the biggest one you can get mainstream press on. The EU is never reported on except for a few outlets.

[wolfman23601]

What’s wrong with Poland? They would be so much better off on their own. Could be a major emerging economy if they could just detatch from the German t*t.

[Olog-hai]

They’re getting bounced between Germany and Russia. Again. Since the USA isn’t even a factor anymore, they can’t get away from those two, and they’re being forced to choose. Again.

[wolfman23601]

So why isn’t the UK exerting any influence? Poland is a prime candidate to go Anglo.

[Olog-hai]

The UK doesn’t have influence in the EU. They all follow Germany. The UK is relegated to pariah status because it isn’t toeing the EU line.

Things would be better for the UK if the US hadn’t stabbed them basically from 2009 onwards . . . . remember that the current administration is EU-philic, even going so far as to call Germany the USA’s most important ally (that was a dig towards Britain). Ever since the “reset”, Poland has been left without that third choice between Germany and Russia, and the UK was left to founder too.

[wolfman23601]

Well hopefully Romney wins and is friendlier towrd the UK, but who knows? Europe came uo neither in the primary nor in the general election. No idea is Romney sides with the UK or with Germany.

[Winniesboy]

Well hopefully Romney wins and is friendlier toward the UK, but who knows?

Judging by his poor briefing and poorer performance on his short visit here in July, the prospects on that count don't seem great.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Olog-hai.

"Of course there are limits," he said in an interview with the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. "We can't finance more Europe with substantially less money."