New EU ‘strategy’ fudges British, German and Italian demands

The 'Strategic agenda for the Union in times of change', seen by EUObserver, is the second draft of a paper by EU Council chief Herman Van Rompuy after consulting with member states. The final text was scheduled to be adopted on the 27 June 2014 at the European Council in Brussels, which should also decide on who should fill the top posts in the EU institutions after the 2014 European Parliament elections.

The draft plan for EU priorities tried to strike a balance between the devolution of powers demanded by Britain and the anti-austerity drive of Italy, in a typical German-inspired fudge.

ESO: Background information: Germany's Gabriel says open to debate on EU deficit rules http://www.europeansources.info/record/germanys-gabriel-says-open-to-debate-on-eu-deficit-rules/

EurActiv, 26.06.14: Merkel, Renzi agree on EU budget rules flexibility http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/merkel-renzi-agree-eu-budget-rules-flexibility-303090

Social Europe Journal, 08.07.14: The European Councils’ Strategic Agenda Tries To Be Everything To Everybody http://www.social-europe.eu/2014/07/european-councils-strategic-agenda-tries/

ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels, 26-27 June 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-26-27-june-2014/

European Council: Strategic agenda for the Union in times of change, June 2014 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/143477.pdf

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