Merkel preaches federalism to MEPs, warns Britain against EU exit

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday urged EU leaders to deepen fiscal and economic integration in the EU.

Addressing the European Parliament in her first visit since 2007, Merkel streessed the need for a deal on the EU budget during the next European Summit.

"A renewed economic and monetary union needs common economic policy. We can see it very clearly today, we didn't have and we don't have economic policy coordination which is binding (...). I will be supporting an ambitious plan of action in December for the new EMU. There should be concrete measures for all our partners.(...). We need the necessary interaction so that it can really work in the sense of greater economic cooperation that Jacques Delors talked about.", said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Responding to MEPs calls for a federal Europe, the German Chancellor said that a shift of powers to Brussels would be her long-term vision for Europe.

"Let's not longer think that with half measures we can solve the problem of the euro (...). Either we make the step to a federal Europe, or we have problems.", said Liberals leader Guy Verhofstadt.
"Of course the European Commission will one day become a government, the EU council a second chamber and the European Parliament will have more powers. But for now, we have to focus on the euro and give people a little bit of time to come along," Merkel said.

Only hours before meeting British Prime Minister David Cameron, the german Chancellor also said she believes the UK should remain in the EU.

"I want a strong UK within the EU. The UK was with us when we were liberated from National Socialism, I cannot imagine the UK not being part of Europe," Merkel said.
Talks on whether Britain should distance itself from the Union are slowly spreading across the country. Cameron has repeatedly threatened to veto any deal on the EU budget if his demands for reducing it are not met.

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[MisterScottishPerson]

It only makes sense to have a federal Europe. What can be bad about working with each other? What are you all so scared of? Being afraid of change isn't the way forward.

[01synergist]

Hey Mister Sandman go to bed and dream continues;)

Europe had all the time in the world and for years it goes deteriorating ..... perhaps should finally changed the rules of the game.

[pilgim]

Fuck off merkle you're finished and so is your hideous. EU dictatorship

[TrollOfGondor]

Well maybe if you Scots go Independent. That will make it easier for us English to get out of this economic EU wasteland.

[DarkAngel2983]

I still want a european federation, even if this sentence will disappoint you. But we can't submit this choice to people who don't want it. Euro, single market, all this came too early.. European states don't have the same economies..

The actual system is a processus for a global domination to elits who already controls our governments. Hollande, Merkel, Camron etc.. All are pawns..

[Gob Lok]

I wrote that in response to your call for a European Federation so you've changed your tune, which I'm glad to see btw :) And who wants a Europe dominated by Banks / Corporations? The best way to fix monopolies has always been deregulation and the free market - something the Single Market has spectacularly failed to achieve!

[DarkAngel2983]

Why are you saying this?? I don't want the Brussel's EU. Still less with 27 state.. I don't want also an Europe obedient to banks and to any corporations..

[Gob Lok]

My God it's frightening to hear people talk like this! So tell me, u are perfectly happy to have your all your country's laws made in Brussels? Happy to be told how long you can work? Happy to be told who may come and live in your country? Happy to pay for those people's welfare benefits / heathcare? Told who you may or may not imprison? And if you don't like it, tell me, how as part of a 27 member state federation with a likely 4% of the vote you'll change a damn thing? No. No. No.

[Gob Lok]

Why does Europe have to be a federal state? Does S.E Asia need to band together under ASEAN? Does the Middle East need to be the United Arab States? Does S.America need to be Latin Land? There's no reason y other than to impotently realize a latent imperial pandering for past European dominance. It won't work and for the interests of world peace it mustn't work.

[Gob Lok]

I am absolutely fine with countries in European joining together under a single government - provided it is not done via the backdoor through cheap tricks like the Lisbon treaty. Some honesty from our politicians would be nice as would to be ASKED before our state's sovereignty is handed over to 3rd party political institutions! Put to the vote I would be amazed if many countries at all would opt for a federalized Europe, but good luck to those who do. The UK will muddle by just fine.

[Henning Diesel]

I´m afraid you didn´t quite understand my initial comment.

The democratic process is going to be abolished by extended centralization and the attempt to create an artificial European Superstate that will never have the consent of the people.

People´s participation is diminished NOT enhanced by federalism.