Merkel hits back over PM’s ‘threats’
Chancellor defends German-backed presidential candidate after British leader expresses his concerns
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned British Prime Minister David Cameron not to threaten her over the appointment of an archfederalist as President of the European Commission.
Cameron has said that the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker could make Britain more likely to leave the European Union in a referendum in 2017.
But Merkel said that “threats” went against the European spirit, as she gave her public support for Juncker.
Cameron said that if Europe fails to heed his calls to reform it will be “unhelpful” ahead of his pledged referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU in 2017. He believes that the appointment of Juncker will damage his attempts to convince the British public that it should stay in the EU.
The Prime Minister also said he wants to stop foreigners from “free riding” and abusing Britain’s welfare system.
The European leaders were speaking after a summit at the official residence in Sweden with Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Swedish Prime Minister, and Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister.
They discussed the need for the European Council to become more competitive and open to reform, as well as potential candidates for the post of President of the European Commission.
Responding to reports that Cameron had warned Britain could leave the EU over Juncker’s appointment, Merkel said: “I made myself clear by saying that I am for Jean-Claude Juncker. But when I made that statement in Germany I also made the point that we act in a European spirit.
“We always do that. Otherwise we can’t arrive at a compromise. We cannot just consign to the backburner the question of European spirit.
“Threats are not part and parcel of that spirit, that’s not how we usually proceed.”
A source close to Downing Street suggested Merkel has private concerns about Juncker’s appointment but has to show public support be- cause of Germany.
Cameron said that it was “plain and obvious” that if Europe fails to reform, Britain will be more likely to leave the EU.
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