As the British Parliament continues deliberating the EU Referendum Bill, it’s worth reflecting on the relationship between the UK and Germany: It could determine the future direction of the whole European Union.
David Cameron made a big speech on the EU at the start of the year and there was much in it that centre-right politicians in Berlin could agree with. His five principles of wanting more competitiveness, flexibility, a rebalancing of powers between nation states and Brussels, democratic accountability and fairness had particular resonance. And what was especially appreciated, and came across in his speech, was his genuine desire to work with like-minded partners to help reshape the European Union into that more competitive and flexible entity.
Germany is one of the leading economies in the EU and the largest net contributor to it. So, centre-right politicians in German have the same strong interest as those in the UK in making Europe less bureaucratic and more competitive.
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