Eurotrash - The latest from Brussels
WORKERS, JAN 2006 ISSUE
Gather round, children
The European Commission has published a book to explain the EU, which is being distributed to primary school children across Europe. It tells them that the EU Constitution is simply "on hold". It compares the Constitution to a sports club's rules and claims, "With this new constitution everything will go like clockwork, just like in your club." A Commission official said, "Some people might argue that the Constitution is dead. But it is still on the table. The only thing that has been decided is that there will be a period of reflection."German lecture
The new German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has reaffirmed her government's wish to revive the EU Constitution. Addressing the European Parliament on 23 November she said, "Europe needs the Constitution ... we are willing to make our contribution to whatever is necessary to see the Constitution come into force."
Such understanding
On 1 December, the European Central Bank raised the Eurozone interest rate to 2.25%. John Monks, leader of the European TUC, crawlingly said, "If the ECB wanted to give a warning signal to trade unions on upcoming wage negotiations by increasing its interest rate, this was totally unnecessary. Trade unions in Europe already understand the need to have wage increases compatible with the objective of price stability."
Poles sorry now
Polish farmers now admit that many were better off before the capitalist counter-revolution, when they were free to sell all their produce without outside competition. They also want the Common Agricultural Policy abolished.
Rebate? What rebate?
Blair has said that he is prepared to give up parts of the £3 billion a year British rebate. Confused Whitehall sources described this cut both as "symbolic" and as a "contribution to the cost of EU enlargement". Earlier this year Blair promised, "The UK rebate will remain and we will not negotiate it away, period."