[A-List] British takeover of Europe: hegemonic restructuring

["Keaney Michael" <Michael.Keaney@xxxxxx>]

The British state has not abandoned its hope of centralising power in a
more pliant form than the current commission, which is too independent
for the hegemons' (UK, France, Germany) liking, given the deliberate one
member, one vote structure. Having had an earlier "super council"
proposal knocked back in January this year, the UK is still pushing on
with its attack on the commission, in tandem with Chirac and Schröder,
who has used anti-commission rhetoric as part of his election campaign.


Brussels in clash with Britain over new powers
By Stephen Castle in Brussels and Andrew Grice
The Independent, 21 May 2002

The European Commission is setting itself on a collision course with the
British Government by calling for sweeping new powers in the highly
sensitive areas of foreign policy and home affairs.

The move, outlined in a paper to be agreed tomorrow, to end member
states' power of veto will be fiercely opposed by Britain and others
such as France. It crystallises a clear divide between the Commission in
Brussels, which wants to boost its own power, and the big member states
of the EU who want to strengthen the grip of national governments.

The Commission document marks the opening shot in a battle to influence
an inquiry into the future of Europe, which is being chaired by the
former French president, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, and which is due to
recommend substantial changes in the way the EU operates.

Mr Giscard has argued that decision-making needs to be simplified, and
called for stronger EU co-operation on foreign policy and on combating
cross-border crime.

The Commission's document suggests a more streamlined system in these
areas. However, it would also bring to an end the present structure,
which keeps two policy areas - common, foreign and security policy and
criminal justice and home affairs - largely the domain of the member
states by ensuring that decisions are taken by unanimous agreement.
Under the plan the Commission would have the right to to push agreements
through under majority voting.

The EU's military powers are likely to resist giving up their veto on
foreign policy and defence decisions, particularly since the EU is
trying to increase its military capabilities.

Other proposals state the Commission should have much greater powers
over economic policy co-ordination - a move that British ministers
believe will make it harder to persuade the public to join the single
currency in a referendum.

=====

Blair backs call for new political president of EU
POST WOULD REPLACE ROTATING PRESIDENCY:
* PLAN WILL FACE STRONG OPPOSITION FROM BRUSSELS:
By DANIEL DOMBEY, FRANCESCO GUERRERA and GEORGE PARKER
Financial Times; May 16, 2002

Britain yesterday joined forces with France to demand the creation of a
powerful new post of president of the European Council.

Tony Blair believes the holder would become the public face and driving
force of Europe. The aim would be to give Europe a political leader who
would be the EU's face in international affairs and take a key role in
developing defence and foreign policies.

Mr Blair believes the new president would give the EU a sharper
identity, and provide much-needed political leadership and
accountability.

The idea that the council should have a permanent president has the
backing of Britain and France with Spain expected to add its support.
The proposal is also favoured by Valery Giscard D'Estaing, the former
French president, who is chairing the convention on the future of
Europe.

However, it is still to win the backing of Germany.

The European Commission, fighting to preserve its influence, will
contest the plans. The move would be seen as weakening the powers of the
unelected European Commission, the EU's executive, and its president,
Romano Prodi.

If approved by member states, the post would be created in 2005 or 2006,
offering Mr Blair the possibility of an attractive job at the end of his
second term, although Spain's Jose Maria Aznar would also be a strong
candidate.

The idea of an appointed EU council president was first mooted by
Jacques Chirac, the French president, at a speech in Strasbourg on March
7.

Under the British proposals, the president would be appointed on a
five-year term by all EU leaders.

Peter Hain, Europe minister, told the Financial Times yesterday that the
president would "probably be a former head of government".

The system would replace the six-month rotating EU presidency, which has
been blamed for failing to give leadership and political direction.

"You need a longer presidency," Mr Hain said. "The current system causes
a lack of strategic grip and doesn't give Europe political leadership
and clout." The EU council president would take on much of the work done
by Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy representative, and be the
first point of call for a US secretary of state hoping to speak to
"Europe".

Simon Murphy, leader of the British Labour group of MEPs, said after
meeting Mr Hain: "Tony Blair's name has certainly been mentioned in
connection with the job, but he is doing a good job running Britain at
the moment."

But Mr Blair might be unacceptable to other EU leaders if he failed to
take Britain into the euro.

However, many in Brussels recognise that, if he won a referendum
campaign on the euro, his position in Europe would be unrivalled.

Mr Blair said in a BBC interview that he would happily go down in
history as the prime minister who took Britain into the euro. The prime
minister said it would be a "betrayal" if he let politics get in the way
of joining the single currency if the economic conditions were right.