France and Great Britain work well together. In military matters, the
cooperation between Paris and London runs smoothly. The two nuclear
powers are in the same boat. After the EU election this also applies -
at least theoretically - to another issue: in both countries right-wing
populists gained the best results Europe-wide, putting both governments
in dire straits.
The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) with its charismatic leader Nigel Farage will send 24 representatives to the new EU Parliament. Prime Minister Cameron's ruling conservatives won only 19 seats.
In France, the situation is even more dramatic: the right-wing National Front of Marine Le Pen took 24 seats - eleven more than the ruling Socialists. London and Paris are now searching for political answers to these landslide victories, but the solutions couldn't be more different.
“We need change in Europe,“ said Cameron. For the conservatives change means: “Europe should concentrate on what matters, on growth and jobs. We need an approach that recognizes that Brussels has got too big, too bossy, too interfering.” Cameron's demand: Europe only where necessary. And that means, the prime minster indicates, much less EU than before.
Cameron needs allies and advocates implementing his program, preferably in the EU Commission. Even if Cameron is not saying it openly on this particular evening, he wants to prevent Jean-Claude Juncker, who now advocates even closer cooperation in Europe, from becoming president of the EU Commission.
“We need people in the leadership who will be working for a Europe which is open, competitive and flexible - and not about the past.”
Read more: Cameron, Hollande argue over Europe's future | Europe | DW.DE | 28.05.2014
The United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) with its charismatic leader Nigel Farage will send 24 representatives to the new EU Parliament. Prime Minister Cameron's ruling conservatives won only 19 seats.
In France, the situation is even more dramatic: the right-wing National Front of Marine Le Pen took 24 seats - eleven more than the ruling Socialists. London and Paris are now searching for political answers to these landslide victories, but the solutions couldn't be more different.
“We need change in Europe,“ said Cameron. For the conservatives change means: “Europe should concentrate on what matters, on growth and jobs. We need an approach that recognizes that Brussels has got too big, too bossy, too interfering.” Cameron's demand: Europe only where necessary. And that means, the prime minster indicates, much less EU than before.
Cameron needs allies and advocates implementing his program, preferably in the EU Commission. Even if Cameron is not saying it openly on this particular evening, he wants to prevent Jean-Claude Juncker, who now advocates even closer cooperation in Europe, from becoming president of the EU Commission.
“We need people in the leadership who will be working for a Europe which is open, competitive and flexible - and not about the past.”
Read more: Cameron, Hollande argue over Europe's future | Europe | DW.DE | 28.05.2014
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