Waiting for the Franco-German engine
Following Macron’s election as the new French President, it now seems certain that changes are coming, to both France and Europe. This is apparent not only from Macron’s announcements but also from the statements made following his meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel which indicated that they had both agreed on a “roadmap” for reform of the EU and the Eurozone. Eurobonds, in the form of the “mutualisation of past debts”, are not expected, but a treaty change of one sort or another is possible. This could be exciting but first we have to see what happens in the Federal elections in the autumn. And over the coming weeks Macron will have to concentrate on shoring up his power base in the parliamentary elections before he can even think about implementing the promised economic and labour market reforms. |
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| Proposal for an Electronic Services Card |
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By introducing an electronic services card (E-Card), the EU Commission wants to facilitate the cross-border provision of services. This voluntary electronic proof is intended to reduce red tape for service providers from other EU countries and strengthen the internal market. cep finds this to be questionable and the E-Card to be unlawful under EU law because it is in part disproportionate.
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| Qualification of professional drivers |
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The EU Commission wants to improve the qualifications of professional drivers of lorries and buses and amend the corresponding Directive. In cep’s view, a more precise definition of the vehicles whose drivers are exempt from the Professional Drivers Qualification Directive, will help to create a level playing field.
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| Coordination of social security systems |
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The EU Commission wants to change the obligations of the social insurance systems to provide benefits for EU citizens residing in other EU countries. Thus rights acquired in various different Member States can be exported. cep welcomes the fact that payment of unemployment benefit for a period of six months means an unemployed person can spend longer looking for work in another EU country.
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"Values and principles first - this is what we, Europe and America, should be saying."
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council |
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“In the long term, Germany will only do well if Europe does well, and Europe will only do well with a strong France”.
Angela Merkel, German Chancellor |
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“Merkel was on the offensive during Macron’s visit, but at the same time very vague. This lack of clarity is likely to continue until the election in September.”
Dr. Bert Van Roosebeke, Head of Division at the cep |
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Facts
Embarrassing result for the Bundestag: The German Parliament regularly complains about high-handedness in Brussels and its interference in national matters. According to a report by its President Norbert Lammert, however, the Bundestag has only lodged 3 subsidiarity objections in relation to the 441 EU legislative proposals submitted since the end of 2009. By comparison: the Swedish Riksdag has lodged objections on 50 occasions. |
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