Four Prime Ministers in a boat for a reform of Europe

(BRUSSELS2) German Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to convince, during a meeting organized in Sweden, Monday evening (June 9) and Tuesday morning (June 10), three of the European personalities most hostile to Jean-Claude Juncker's candidacy for the European Commission : his Swedish counterparts Fredrik Reinfeldt, British David Cameron, and Dutch Mark Rutte. Apparently without success! On Tuesday morning, the British Prime Minister had broadcast by way of twitter a final opinion of veto: all the British parties are in agreement to refuse the candidacy of Jean-Claude Juncker.

"All major UK parties are now united on one point: Jean-Claude Juncker should not be President of the European Commission".

Reforms before names

According to the Swedish presidency, the Four European leaders have agreed on the need to endorse certain reforms in Europe before making the choice of " various officials who will preside over the destiny of the European Union" in the future. A necessity on which they all agree, we say on the German side. " Decide on content first before making decisions on staff ».

« Our four countries are all reform-oriented, focusing our economic policy on ways to increase competitiveness to secure jobs and growth “Summarized Fredrick Reinfeldt Reforms all the more crucial” at a time when the EU is slowly emerging from the economic crisis ».

A consensus to... respect the treaty

In the absence of a name, the consensus was thus made to recall that the appointment of the President of the Commission had to obey precisely the rule laid down by Article 17 § 7 of the Treaty on European Union: it is up to the European Council to propose to the European Parliament, after appropriate consultations, a candidate for the post of President of the Commission, taking into account the result of the elections to the European Parliament. For Angela Merkel, it is therefore up to the Heads of State and Government of the EU to " make a proposal to the European Parliament ". " If we are wise, we will respect the different institutions she added. Heads of government to be absolutely certain » that the proposed candidate will be able to obtain the votes of Parliament.

Four priorities

Taking advantage of the fact that the Sweden, Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands are all listed “in the 10 most competitive world economies according to the World Economic Forum”, the Prime Minister Sweden highlighted four main priorities:

• of structural reforms to strengthen the EU's competitiveness, 
• eliminate the barriers remaining on the internal market,
• l'improvement of legislation based on the principle of a cost-benefit analysis” 
• a discussion, to start “ right now " with all the Member States in order to reform the next european budget ».

Free movement of workers, to reform or to secure?

The German Chancellor added that " We need the development of the internal market, especially in the areas of labor mobility ". A notion that the British Prime Minister interpreted as agreement to his demand to see “ combat the excesses of freedom of movement ". " We must be free to travel all over Europe to work but not be free to take unfair advantage of social protection systems”. A point to which the Dutch Prime Minister acquiesced. "We must tackle those who threaten" free movement.

Angela Merkel also mentioned the need to " secure the labor market, which will create jobs in the digital field and services ". The question of creating a common energy market and a digital single market was also discussed. The 4 leaders also agreed on the need to conclude an in-depth free trade agreement with the United States (TTIP), awaiting a " major boost for job creation on both sides of the Atlantic”.

It can be noted that it is mainly the economic reforms that preoccupy the 4 EU leaders. Compared to the priorities set out at the last informal European summit on May 27, neither immigration issues, and even less the common foreign and security policy, are mentioned as a priority.

Download the Harpsund Declaration of the Swedish Prime Minister