Open europe : 14daags overzicht

Politics.be · 5 november 2011, 15:50

1. Greek PM bins plan for referendum under threat of EU bailout withdrawal Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has backtracked on a previous plan to call a referendum on the latest EU/IMF rescue package and Greece’s eurozone membership. The plan angered other eurozone countries, especially France and Germany, who have threatened to withhold the next €8bn tranche of the first Greek bailout loan until the Greek parliament ratifies the second bailout deal struck at the latest meeting of EU leaders. If Greece does not get the money by mid-December, bankruptcy will be almost unavoidable. Papandreou is also to face a confidence vote in the Greek parliament tonight, which he looks unlikely to win. What will happen in the event of the government falling is currently uncertain. (FT BBC 4 November)

Italy’s situation is also getting increasingly precarious, as its borrowing costs continue to rise. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has pledged new emergency measures and economic reforms to EU leaders, but he will almost certainly struggle to keep his promises, given that MPs from his own party have started calling on him to resign. (City AM Guardian 4 November)

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2. 81 Conservative MPs defy Cameron to vote for EU referendum

David Cameron suffered his biggest rebellion in the House of Commons as 81 Conservative MPs voted in favour of a backbench motion calling on the Government to hold a referendum on the UK’s EU membership, despite the imposition of a three-line whip. One Conservative PPS, Adam Holloway MP, resigned while a second, Stewart Jackson MP, was sacked. 19 Labour MPs and one Lib Dem MP also voted for the motion, which was rejected by 483 votes to 111. (Telegraph, 24 October)

Following the vote, David Cameron said that the Government had started looking at how powers could be repatriated from Brussels, noting, “We are looking at the balance of powers. That work is now under way in Whitehall. I think it is right that it looks at the different powers that are exercised in Brussels and Westminster.” Meanwhile, the inaugural meeting of a new all-party parliamentary group on European reform will take place on 10 November to discuss the return of EU employment and social laws, with a draft White Paper on European Reform due to be published by next July. (BBC: Andrew Marr show 30 October, Telegraph 27 October)

Please leave your comments on our blog:
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3. News in brief

Employment Minister pledges to stem “endless tide” of EU laws. Employment Minister Chris Grayling told the Federation of Small Businesses that the Government should “take a step back” and reduce the regulatory burden on firms. He noted, “Whilst there are many things that we can change ourselves, we also have to deal with the European dimension of health and safety law. From there, the tide of regulation seems endless.” (Telegraph, 3 November)

Cameron: City under “constant attack” from Brussels. On his way to the Commonwealth summit, David Cameron warned, “London is the centre of financial services in Europe. It's under constant attack through Brussels directives. It's an area of concern. It's a key national interest that we need to defend.” (Telegraph, 28 October)

MEPs demand inflation-busting EU budget increase. MEPs endorsed an inflation-busting 5.2% increase (£5.7bn) in next year’s EU budget, ignoring national governments’ demands for a real-term cash freeze. MEPs’ proposal drew immediate rebuke from member states. (Mail, 27 October)

New EU rules force Tesco to cut temporary staff. Tesco has cut back on temporary staff following this month’s introduction of the EU’s Agency Workers Directive, which gives temporary employees the same rights as full-time staff after only twelve weeks in a job. (Mail, 24 October)

Lord Turner: “I got it wrong on the euro.” Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the FSA and co-author of a 2002 paper entitled, ‘Why Britain should join the euro’, has now admitted, “I got it wrong.” (City AM, 24 October)

4. Open Europe in the news

No’ vote in euro bailout referendum would force Greece’s default and eurozone exit
4 November BBC: Peston Xinhua 3 November BBC: Today Sky News Polish Radio: Cleppe 2 November ITV News Public Service Europe Business Insider 1 November Guardian CityAM Zerohedge Reuters 31 October Talouselämä 26 October De Volksrant

Open Europe’s Raoul Ruparel was quoted on the front pages of the Guardian and City AM, and by Business Insider, Public Service Europe, and Reuters, arguing, “If the Greek public vote no in the referendum Greece could be left with no funds and no government, teetering on the edge of a disorderly default and a disorderly exit from the eurozone.”

Raoul also appeared on ITV News, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and Sky News, discussing the current situation in Greece. Open Europe’s Pieter Cleppe was interviewed by Polish Radio and Chinese news agency Xinhua on the G20 summit and the Greek referendum. Zerohedge and Finnish business weekly Talouselämä featured Open Europe’s analysis of the Greek referendum.

On his blog, the BBC’s Business Editor Robert Peston quoted Open Europe’s figures breaking down how Greek debt is divided among international lenders. Dutch daily De Volksrant cited Open Europe’s finding that, in the event of a Greek and Portuguese debt restructuring, European banks could need up to €372bn.

‘Eurozone caucus’ is a risk for the UK
3 November Reuters

Open Europe’s Director Mats Persson was quoted by Reuters warning against a ‘eurozone caucus’, and arguing that, should the eurozone achieve greater political integration, “The risk would be that eurozone ministers might meet in the weeks of some financial turmoil and decide to beef up, say, a ban on short-selling and agree a common position, and then they get the Romanians and the Bulgarians on board and effectively outvote the Swedes and the British .”

France angered by Italian ECB board member’s refusal to resign
1 November BBC World Service 24 October De Tijd 22 October WSJ

Raoul Ruparel was quoted in the WSJ saying, “Clearly has become highly politicised and subject to horse-trading...That's a worrying trend.” Separately, Mats Persson appeared on the BBC World Service’s World Business Report, discussing the tenure of outgoing ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet. Belgian daily De Tijd reported on Open Europe's discussion in Brussels with German Professor Markus C. Kerber, who is suing Trichet over ECB purchases of eurozone debt.

UK should seek repatriation of EU social policy
30 October Sunday Express Independent on Sunday 29 October Spectator: Forsyth Mail: Heffer 27 October Jeff Randall show 26 October Mail 25 October Channel 4 News

In an article looking at what powers the UK could repatriate from the EU, the Mail cited Open Europe’s estimates that EU employment legislation introduced between 1998 and 2009 has cost the UK economy £38.9bn. In the Spectator, James Forsyth reported that Open Europe will soon be publishing research showing that negotiating opt-outs from EU social policy would give a large boost to the British economy. Open Europe’s finding that EU regulations had cost Britain £124bn since 1998 was cited by Simon Heffer in the Mail and by Channel 4 News.

Meanwhile, Mats Persson warned in the Sunday Express that British Prime Ministers have talked tough on Brussels before but come up empty-handed, arguing, “What the *Government needs to do is come up with a plan of what it intends to do. It needs to go beyond broad political assurances, they don’t seem to have any ideas where to take this.” Mats also appeared on Sky News’ Jeff Randall show discussing Britain’s changing role in Europe.

Open Europe’s Research Director Stephen Booth was quoted in the Independent on Sunday, arguing, “Negotiations on the EU’s long-term budget…will be a crucial test of the Government’s commitment to EU reform.”

EU Foreign Minister takes part in Commonwealth summit
30 October Sunday Times

Open Europe’s Chris Howarth was quoted in the Sunday Times saying, “ Baroness Ashton has not set the world on fire to date.”

Latest eurozone deal falls far short of what is needed
28 October CityAM: Ruparel 27 October Zerohedge Business Insider AFP Telegraph: Live blog 26 October BBC News CBC 25 October Mail Independent

In an op-ed in City AM, Raoul Ruparel argued, “Unlike in previous rounds, Wednesday’s meeting between Eurozone leaders saw some real progress. But with the risk of being a killjoy, it still falls far short of what is needed to solve the Greek and eurozone crisis…Instead of fabricating complicated financial instruments (which they previously lambasted for causing the crisis), eurozone leaders should accept a full hard restructuring in Greece, full recapitalisation of European banks and begin implementation of the necessary reforms to boost growth and competitiveness.” Raoul also appeared on BBC News and CBC discussing the possible outcomes of the latest EU summit.

Open Europe’s briefing on what the eurozone deal could look like was covered on the Telegraph’s live blog, AFP, Zerohedge, and Business Insider. Separately, Mats Persson was quoted in the Independent in an article looking at the personal relationships between European leaders. Open Europe was also quoted in the Mail.

MEPs endorse inflation-busting EU budget increase
27 October Telegraph

Mats Persson was quoted in the Telegraph noting that the vote showed the double standards of MEPs, at a time when the EU is demanding deep cuts in the public spending of countries like Greece and Italy.

Bron: politics.be

5 november 2011, 15:50	#1
Politics.be Redactie Geregistreerd: 27 november 2004 Berichten: 28.704	Open europe : 14daags overzicht 1. Greek PM bins plan for referendum under threat of EU bailout withdrawal Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has backtracked on a previous plan to call a referendum on the latest EU/IMF rescue package and Greece’s eurozone membership. The plan angered other eurozone countries, especially France and Germany, who have threatened to withhold the next €8bn tranche of the first Greek bailout loan until the Greek parliament ratifies the second bailout deal struck at the latest meeting of EU leaders. If Greece does not get the money by mid-December, bankruptcy will be almost unavoidable. Papandreou is also to face a confidence vote in the Greek parliament tonight, which he looks unlikely to win. What will happen in the event of the government falling is currently uncertain. (FT BBC 4 November) Italy’s situation is also getting increasingly precarious, as its borrowing costs continue to rise. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has pledged new emergency measures and economic reforms to EU leaders, but he will almost certainly struggle to keep his promises, given that MPs from his own party have started calling on him to resign. (City AM Guardian 4 November) Please leave your comments on our blog: http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.com/2...ng-greece.html 2. 81 Conservative MPs defy Cameron to vote for EU referendum David Cameron suffered his biggest rebellion in the House of Commons as 81 Conservative MPs voted in favour of a backbench motion calling on the Government to hold a referendum on the UK’s EU membership, despite the imposition of a three-line whip. One Conservative PPS, Adam Holloway MP, resigned while a second, Stewart Jackson MP, was sacked. 19 Labour MPs and one Lib Dem MP also voted for the motion, which was rejected by 483 votes to 111. (Telegraph, 24 October) Following the vote, David Cameron said that the Government had started looking at how powers could be repatriated from Brussels, noting, “We are looking at the balance of powers. That work is now under way in Whitehall. I think it is right that it looks at the different powers that are exercised in Brussels and Westminster.” Meanwhile, the inaugural meeting of a new all-party parliamentary group on European reform will take place on 10 November to discuss the return of EU employment and social laws, with a draft White Paper on European Reform due to be published by next July. (BBC: Andrew Marr show 30 October, Telegraph 27 October) Please leave your comments on our blog: http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.com/2...-of-cause.html 3. News in brief Employment Minister pledges to stem “endless tide” of EU laws. Employment Minister Chris Grayling told the Federation of Small Businesses that the Government should “take a step back” and reduce the regulatory burden on firms. He noted, “Whilst there are many things that we can change ourselves, we also have to deal with the European dimension of health and safety law. From there, the tide of regulation seems endless.” (Telegraph, 3 November) Cameron: City under “constant attack” from Brussels. On his way to the Commonwealth summit, David Cameron warned, “London is the centre of financial services in Europe. It's under constant attack through Brussels directives. It's an area of concern. It's a key national interest that we need to defend.” (Telegraph, 28 October) MEPs demand inflation-busting EU budget increase. MEPs endorsed an inflation-busting 5.2% increase (£5.7bn) in next year’s EU budget, ignoring national governments’ demands for a real-term cash freeze. MEPs’ proposal drew immediate rebuke from member states. (Mail, 27 October) New EU rules force Tesco to cut temporary staff. Tesco has cut back on temporary staff following this month’s introduction of the EU’s Agency Workers Directive, which gives temporary employees the same rights as full-time staff after only twelve weeks in a job. (Mail, 24 October) Lord Turner: “I got it wrong on the euro.” Lord Adair Turner, Chairman of the FSA and co-author of a 2002 paper entitled, ‘Why Britain should join the euro’, has now admitted, “I got it wrong.” (City AM, 24 October) 4. Open Europe in the news No’ vote in euro bailout referendum would force Greece’s default and eurozone exit 4 November BBC: Peston Xinhua 3 November BBC: Today Sky News Polish Radio: Cleppe 2 November ITV News Public Service Europe Business Insider 1 November Guardian CityAM Zerohedge Reuters 31 October Talouselämä 26 October De Volksrant Open Europe’s Raoul Ruparel was quoted on the front pages of the Guardian and City AM, and by Business Insider, Public Service Europe, and Reuters, arguing, “If the Greek public vote no in the referendum Greece could be left with no funds and no government, teetering on the edge of a disorderly default and a disorderly exit from the eurozone.” Raoul also appeared on ITV News, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and Sky News, discussing the current situation in Greece. Open Europe’s Pieter Cleppe was interviewed by Polish Radio and Chinese news agency Xinhua on the G20 summit and the Greek referendum. Zerohedge and Finnish business weekly Talouselämä featured Open Europe’s analysis of the Greek referendum. On his blog, the BBC’s Business Editor Robert Peston quoted Open Europe’s figures breaking down how Greek debt is divided among international lenders. Dutch daily De Volksrant cited Open Europe’s finding that, in the event of a Greek and Portuguese debt restructuring, European banks could need up to €372bn. ‘Eurozone caucus’ is a risk for the UK 3 November Reuters Open Europe’s Director Mats Persson was quoted by Reuters warning against a ‘eurozone caucus’, and arguing that, should the eurozone achieve greater political integration, “The risk would be that eurozone ministers might meet in the weeks of some financial turmoil and decide to beef up, say, a ban on short-selling and agree a common position, and then they get the Romanians and the Bulgarians on board and effectively outvote the Swedes and the British .” France angered by Italian ECB board member’s refusal to resign 1 November BBC World Service 24 October De Tijd 22 October WSJ Raoul Ruparel was quoted in the WSJ saying, “Clearly has become highly politicised and subject to horse-trading...That's a worrying trend.” Separately, Mats Persson appeared on the BBC World Service’s World Business Report, discussing the tenure of outgoing ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet. Belgian daily De Tijd reported on Open Europe's discussion in Brussels with German Professor Markus C. Kerber, who is suing Trichet over ECB purchases of eurozone debt. UK should seek repatriation of EU social policy 30 October Sunday Express Independent on Sunday 29 October Spectator: Forsyth Mail: Heffer 27 October Jeff Randall show 26 October Mail 25 October Channel 4 News In an article looking at what powers the UK could repatriate from the EU, the Mail cited Open Europe’s estimates that EU employment legislation introduced between 1998 and 2009 has cost the UK economy £38.9bn. In the Spectator, James Forsyth reported that Open Europe will soon be publishing research showing that negotiating opt-outs from EU social policy would give a large boost to the British economy. Open Europe’s finding that EU regulations had cost Britain £124bn since 1998 was cited by Simon Heffer in the Mail and by Channel 4 News. Meanwhile, Mats Persson warned in the Sunday Express that British Prime Ministers have talked tough on Brussels before but come up empty-handed, arguing, “What the *Government needs to do is come up with a plan of what it intends to do. It needs to go beyond broad political assurances, they don’t seem to have any ideas where to take this.” Mats also appeared on Sky News’ Jeff Randall show discussing Britain’s changing role in Europe. Open Europe’s Research Director Stephen Booth was quoted in the Independent on Sunday, arguing, “Negotiations on the EU’s long-term budget…will be a crucial test of the Government’s commitment to EU reform.” EU Foreign Minister takes part in Commonwealth summit 30 October Sunday Times Open Europe’s Chris Howarth was quoted in the Sunday Times saying, “ Baroness Ashton has not set the world on fire to date.” Latest eurozone deal falls far short of what is needed 28 October CityAM: Ruparel 27 October Zerohedge Business Insider AFP Telegraph: Live blog 26 October BBC News CBC 25 October Mail Independent In an op-ed in City AM, Raoul Ruparel argued, “Unlike in previous rounds, Wednesday’s meeting between Eurozone leaders saw some real progress. But with the risk of being a killjoy, it still falls far short of what is needed to solve the Greek and eurozone crisis…Instead of fabricating complicated financial instruments (which they previously lambasted for causing the crisis), eurozone leaders should accept a full hard restructuring in Greece, full recapitalisation of European banks and begin implementation of the necessary reforms to boost growth and competitiveness.” Raoul also appeared on BBC News and CBC discussing the possible outcomes of the latest EU summit. Open Europe’s briefing on what the eurozone deal could look like was covered on the Telegraph’s live blog, AFP, Zerohedge, and Business Insider. Separately, Mats Persson was quoted in the Independent in an article looking at the personal relationships between European leaders. Open Europe was also quoted in the Mail. MEPs endorse inflation-busting EU budget increase 27 October Telegraph Mats Persson was quoted in the Telegraph noting that the vote showed the double standards of MEPs, at a time when the EU is demanding deep cuts in the public spending of countries like Greece and Italy. Bron: politics.be __________________ Politics.be - Jouw politieke portaalsite