Europe
MEPs to fly business class for short distances
Die Welt reports that from June, the European Parliament will allow MEPs to get compensation for travelling by business class, even on short distance flights. Until now, business class was reserved solely for flights outside the EU.
The article quotes Karl Heinz Däke, President of the German Association of Taxpayers, saying: "in these times of financial and economic crisis, MEPs are awarding themselves expensive business class flights. With somewhat more modesty one will also arrive on destination."
Die Welt
European Parliament's £33,000 'Big Brother style diary room' debuts in Edinburgh
The Scotsman reports that voters in Edinburgh are to be invited to visit a "Tardis-style box" to send a message to Brussels ahead of the European elections on June 4. Several "Choiceboxes" - interactive video booths - are touring around Europe and first stop in the UK is Edinburgh.
A spokesman for the European Parliament, which is organising the tour, said: "It's like Big Brother - people can walk into the diary room and have their say. The idea is voters can air their views and express their concerns about any topic relevant to the European elections." The boxes cost around £33,000 each but the spokesman said they would continue to be used for other events in the future.
Scotsman
New poll reveals 62% of Dutch people think EU institutions are a "waste of taxpayers' money"
A poll in the Netherlands by the University of Amsterdam has revealed that 62 percent of Dutch people think that the EU institutions are a "waste of taxpayers' money"; less than 24 percent have trust in the EU and more than two thirds are opposed to enlargement, with an expert commenting: "the research shows that the campaign for the EU elections will be held in a country which is a lot more eurosceptic than at the time of the previous elections in 1999 or 2004".NRC Handelsblad Research Center for Politics and Communication
Mardell: the EU establishment assumes you can't be for the EU and against the Lisbon Treaty
On his BBC blog, Europe Editor Mark Mardell writes that he is doubtful whether the economic crisis will reverse last summer's No vote in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty, in a second referendum this year. He argues, "In most referendums voters will take the opportunity to give an unpopular government a good kicking, whatever the question on the ballot paper." He goes on to say that, "there is the assumption, common in the EU establishment, that you can't be 'for' the EU and against the Lisbon Treaty. The Irish people may not agree."
He says he is not convinced by arguments that Europe will move ahead without Ireland if they vote No, saying "How on earth could 26 countries operate under Lisbon while Ireland operates under the Nice Treaty?..It doesn't make sense."
Meanwhile, the Irish Times reports that, on a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, a delegation of young Irish students questioned Parliamentary officials about the advantages of the Lisbon Treaty. It quotes one of them saying, "He didn't give me enough detail in his answer. How are we supposed to vote Yes to it if we don't know what it's about?"
Irish Times BBC: Mardell blog
Czech Senate may approve Lisbon Treaty in early May
According to the Czech news source CTK, Jiri Stritesky, Chairman of the Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Senators' group, told journalists yesterday that the Czech Senate may begin the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty at its next regular session at the beginning of May. He said, "The nearest Senate regular session will take place on May 6-7...the Lisbon treaty will be debated during this session." ODS senators are the main opponents to the Treaty, yet even they admit that the Treaty will probably be approved by the Senate, says CTK. The article concludes, however, that much will depend on President Vaclav Klaus, who is well-known for his disagreement with the Lisbon Treaty, because his signature completes the ratification process.
No link
Eurozone concerned that UK is seeking competitive advantage with slide in Sterling
The FT reports that the Pound's slide against the Euro has begun to trigger concerns on the continent that the UK is seeking to gain a competitive advantage over its EU partners. Without naming the UK, Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, a member of the ECB's Executive Board, on Monday reminded EU states outside the single currency that they had to treat their exchange rates as a "matter of common interest", as stated in article 124 of the EU treaties.
One senior EU policymaker told the FT that, in his view, the UK was in breach of article 124. Brian Lenihan, the Irish Finance Minister, in January directly accused the UK of running a policy of "competitive devaluation", putting other countries under "immense pressure".
FT
A ComRes poll has predicted that 46% of Irish people are set to vote Yes in a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, and 27% No. The poll also revealed that in Iceland, 40% of people would like to join the EU, and 45% would not.Conservative Home ComRes poll
The Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has called on the province's MEPs to publish their expenses to show how they are spending public funds. Diane Dodds, the party's candidate for the European elections, said she will publish details of her expenses if elected.Belfast Telegraph
LSE Professor: Voters don't care about the "European picture"
Following the publication of a poll predicting the outcome of the European elections, the Irish Times reports that Libertas is predicted to claim one or two seats in the elections: in France and possibly Finland. The article reports that a Libertas spokeswoman has said that the methodology in the study did not take into account the fact that Libertas was a brand new political force as it was based on previous voting records.
One of the authors of the poll, LSE Professor Simon Hix, said in an interview with Euractiv, "Although they are European elections, most voters and the media still treat them as national elections...They don't care about the European picture. This is what the voters think."
Predict09 Poll Breakdown by country Irish Times The Parliament EU Observer European Voice EurActiv EurActiv 2
Turkey joining the EU monopolises EU election campaign in France
Writing for Liberation, Jean Quatremer reports how Obama expressing his support for Turkey entering the EU has ignited an EU election campaign which was previously lacking ideas. Le Figaro also reports that Turkey's accession to the EU is dominating the French campaign, with the right-wing parties strongly opposed and the Socialists in favour. Martine Aubry, First Secretary of the Socialist Party, has said she finds it "astounding" that Nicolas Sarkozy now declares his opposition to Turkey joining the EU and yet never expressed his opposition during his Presidency of the EU.
Meanwhile, La Croix notes that debate surrounding the coming EU parliamentary elections has focussed mainly on the financial crisis, thus missing important issues like the Lisbon Treaty, climate change and enlargement.
La Croix Le Figaro Liberation: Coulisses de Bruxelles
EU Military Chief: "Europe must be prepared for more difficult military operations"
In an interview published in La Tribune, David Leakey, Director General of the European Union Military Staff, argues that "Europe must be prepared for more difficult military operations".
In the FT, Quentin Peel writes that even after playing to Europe's desires on the question of NATO in Afghanistan, Barack Obama still received little support from EU NATO members. In response to Obama's pledge to send 21,000 more US troops to Afghanistan, Europe offered to send a meager 5,000 troops. The Telegraph's Irwin Stelzer notes that such a lackluster commitment from Europe should not shock those acquainted with Europe's recent tendency to "free-ride on America."
FT: Peel Telegraph: Stelzer
Cruddas: A reformed single currency could see Britain join the Euro
The Guardian reports that Labour MP Jon Cruddas has said that Britain could take a significant step towards joining the Euro, if the currency introduced a series of reforms including making the promotion of employment one of its central goals, and relaxing its rules on running deficits.
In an article for the paper co-written with Andrea Nahles, Vice-President of Germany's Social Democrat Party, the SPD, Cruddas writes that "The European Monetary Union needs reform and the mandate of the European Central Bank must be broadened to include social objectives and the prevention of unemployment. A more social Europe will improve the prospects of Britain joining the euro...A secure Europe means a European minimum wage, corresponding to the national average income."
The Guardian also quotes him saying, "There could be a speculative attack on the pound which would put euro membership on the agenda...So it is important to start a debate now rather than being reactive."
Guardian Guardian: Comment is Free
PA reports that the Home Office has announced that restrictions on the number of workers entering the UK from eight eastern European countries will be maintained for another two years.
No link
Spanish Prime Minister announces cabinet reshuffle
El Mundo reports that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has announced a cabinet reshuffle only a year after being re-elected, making this the seventh reshuffle since the 2004 General Election. Elena Salgado becomes Finance Minister and Second Vice-President, while Carme Chacón and Miguel A. Moratinos hold their positions as Defence Minister and Foreign Minister.
El Mundo IHT FT Irish Times
European Investment Bank to rescue UK wind farm
The Times reports that Government plans to make Britain a global leader in green energy are set to be rescued by the European taxpayer. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is in talks with developers about a financial rescue package for the £3 billion London Array scheme, planned to be the world's largest offshore wind farm, located in the Thames Estuary.
The paper notes that the involvement of the EIB will be welcomed by the UK Government and by the renewable energy industry, which is struggling with a lack of investment due to the impact of the credit crunch and the collapse in the price of oil and carbon emissions.
Times
EIB grants £500 million 'green' loans to Jaguar and Nissan
The Times reports that the European Investment Bank has granted a £500 million loan to Jaguar and Nissan's UK plant, to promote the production of 'greener' technology for cars.
Meanwhile, the FT reports that a German programme to offer a scrapping bonus for old cars, to encourage new car purchases has become such a success, the government is facing costs of up to three times the initial price tag of €1.5 billion.
Times BBC Mirror FT
A new report from the World Trade Organisation has urged the EU to liberalise services and open up agriculture markets to achieve a robust recovery, and help reverse the global economic slowdown.
Reuters
A report from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe yesterday said that Bulgaria has only carried out "cosmetic changes" to bring the country up to European standards, particularly concerning the judiciary, in its bid to join the EU. The report also said that the haste of the accession process has "pushed the reforms in an undesired direction".
EUobserver
Libertas has unveiled a billboard campaign for the European elections in Ireland, with posters critical of Irish PM Brian Cowen's handling of the economic crisis.
Irish Times
Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has said Lithuania would like to join the Euro early if the European Central Bank was prepared to relax the entry criteria.
FT
UK
MPs shirking responsibility to scrutinise Government
The Times reports that several backbench MPs routinely skip the meetings of powerful Commons committees, undermining Parliament's power to scrutinise the Government. At least 60 of the 220 members on the most influential Commons committees examining public services and government spending missed more than half their meetings last year, according to an analysis of figures released this week by Parliament.
Times Times Coates blog Spectator: Coffee House blog
Open Europe is an independent think tank campaigning for radical reform of the EU. For information on our research, events and other activities, please visit our website: openeurope.org.uk or call us on 0207 197 2333.
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