Senior European figures are planning to establish a new parliament only for the countries in the eurozone, it was reported yesterday.
The body – which would comprise MEPs and national parliamentarians – would have powers to investigate eurozone members’ fiscal and economic policy.
The UK would not be part of the new organisation because it is not a member of the single currency.
But the body could require the construction of a new building, with some of the costs potentially falling on British taxpayers.
German newspaper Handelsblatt reported yesterday that the plans are being developed by Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council; European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso; Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker, and Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank.
A eurozone parliament is only one idea mooted, with other proposals including a stronger role for the European Commission to veto national spending plans.
Such far-reaching proposals would require changes to EU treaties.
Stephen Booth, from the think-tank Open Europe, said: ‘These plans are clearly “blue sky thinking” at this stage, but they serve as a reminder that the UK must seek safeguards against the 17 euro members making the rules for the rest.
‘Van Rompuy and Barroso are supposed to represent all 27 members of the EU and not simply the interests of the eurozone.’
Mr Booth said that, if the proposal goes ahead, Britain would need to ensure there was a similar space for non-eurozone members and those who wished to leave it.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2199580/Brussels-dreams-new-parliament--countries-eurozone.html
The body – which would comprise MEPs and national parliamentarians – would have powers to investigate eurozone members’ fiscal and economic policy.
The UK would not be part of the new organisation because it is not a member of the single currency.
But the body could require the construction of a new building, with some of the costs potentially falling on British taxpayers.
German newspaper Handelsblatt reported yesterday that the plans are being developed by Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council; European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso; Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker, and Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank.
A eurozone parliament is only one idea mooted, with other proposals including a stronger role for the European Commission to veto national spending plans.
Such far-reaching proposals would require changes to EU treaties.
Stephen Booth, from the think-tank Open Europe, said: ‘These plans are clearly “blue sky thinking” at this stage, but they serve as a reminder that the UK must seek safeguards against the 17 euro members making the rules for the rest.
‘Van Rompuy and Barroso are supposed to represent all 27 members of the EU and not simply the interests of the eurozone.’
Mr Booth said that, if the proposal goes ahead, Britain would need to ensure there was a similar space for non-eurozone members and those who wished to leave it.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2199580/Brussels-dreams-new-parliament--countries-eurozone.html
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