In February Germany saw the birth of a new party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD, Alternatives for Germany). By April 14th it had 7,500 members, and 1,300 of them participated in the inaugural conference in Berlin on that date. An assembly of top businessmen, lawyers, economists and academics joined forces against the single currency, the euro. Their arguments, as set out in the party’s programme, were on the whole the same as were set down in April 2013 by 12 German and French economists. The list of signatories to the AfD manifesto is impressivei and has no affinity with”the usual suspects”.

The spokesman of AfD, Bernd Lücke, is neither a eurosceptic nor an europhobe in the sense that he wants Germany to leave the European Union. Quite on the contrary.

”As true Europeans, we need to abandon the Euro,” he says, pointing to the damage that the single currency has so far done to the countries that adopted it.

And the established parties as well as political commentators are taking AfD seriously. A recent opinion poll suggests that about 26 per cent of the Germans would consider giving their vote to a eurosceptic party. Even Oskar Lafontaine, the German finance minister who launched the euro, has called for a break-up of the single currency to let southern Europe recover, according to Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in the Daily Telegraph on May 5th, 2013.ii

Latvia is next on the list of countries that are expected to join the euro. On February 1st the Latvian parliament voted on the issue. The result was 52 in favour and 40 against joining. And now Iveta Grigule, member for the Greens and Farmers, is trying to get 34 MPs to sign a petition to the president, asking him to call a referendum on the issue.iii

The president of Latvia’s constitutional court, Gunars Kutris, supports the initiative. ”All aspects considered the country is entitled to a referendum on the euro,” he says.

An opinion poll in December 2012 showed that 68 per cent would say no.

In April Slovenia joined the group of euro countries in financial trouble. This is surprising, as the country’s public debt is only 53.9 per cent of its GNP. The EU’s limit is 60 percent). But two big banks owned by the Slovenian state are in a serious crisis, threatening the economy of the small state.iv

From February 21st to March 4th a YouGov poll in six countries showed growing euroscepticism. In the UK and in Sweden there was even a majority for leaving the Union.

42 percent of the Britons were in favour of leaving and 36 per cent would stay. A poll in January resulted in a tie, as 38 per cent wanted to leave and 38 per cent would stay.

In Sweden 44 per cent would leave, whereas 41 would stay. In January there was a 43 per cent majority for staying as against 41 per cent would leave.

In Finland, Germany, Denmark and France euroscepsis is growing, but these countries still have a clear majority for staying.

But in all the six countries an overwhelming majority of the voters are of opinion that the EU has too much power.v

The latest Norwegian poll confirms that the country is unlikely to have a third referendum on EU membership. 70 per cent would vote no.

And Iceland is expected to withdraw its application for membership after the recent election, resulting in two eurosceptic parties taking over the government.

Luise Hemmer Pihl

This article will appear in the Spring 2013 issue of the NEW EUROPEAN (see www.nereuropean.org)

i See https://www.alternativefuer.de/ ii http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/10039329/German-euro-founder-calls-for-catastrophic-currency-to-be-broken-up.html#mm_hash iii http://www.folkebevaegelsen.dk/nyheder/article/letland-soger-om-optagelse-i iv Notat 1259, May 2013 v http://www.folkebevaegelsen.dk/nyheder/article/svenskerne-vil-ud-af-eu

Danish parliamentarians get ready to adopt a new access law with politically sensitive documents kept secret by definition. Undemocratic and outrageouls arrogant, critics say about the ”Yes-Minister-law”.

Denmark’s reputation as a pro-transparent country is at stake, warns leading expert in media law Oluf Jørgensen: ”This will draw international attention,” he says, pointing at a unique possibility to conceal reports from a minister to a closed circle of parliamentarians:

”This is in clear breach with the principle of division of powers”

Tim Knudsen, a professor in political science has a similar comment:

”Slotsholmen (home of the parliament and governmental departments on a tiny island in Copenhagen) shields itself and weakens democracy.”

These comments are triggered by a proposed new legislation on access to official documents. One single paragraph causes the uproar:

”The right of access does not include internal documents and information exchanged at a time when there is specific reason to believe that a minister has or will have a need for the advice from an civil service and assistance between:

1) A ministry department and its subordinate authorities.

2) Various ministries.”

An agreement culture

In a previous version, tabled by the then liberal-conservative government, this clause was explicitly called exemption for ”services to ministers”. This should not be mixed up with ”internal working papers”, known in many access laws, as the exemption covers documents in their final version as well as document sent to and from different ministerial department and authorities.

As the proposal now has been re-tabled by the present government (centre-left) the provocative and ridiculed term ”services to ministers” has been deleted.

Minister of Justice Morten Bødskov (Social Democrats) argues that the change of words is important, while representatives of the former government fail to see the change in substance.

The urge among Danish politicians to ring-fence correspondence between authorities and ministers can be explained by an established culture where parties enter into pre-legislative negotiations and agreements before proposals are officially tabled.

This is demonstrated at length by how the proposed law has been dealt with.

Behind closed doors

As journalists grew aware of what was in the making they asked for access to documents related to the secretive talks between the former and the present government. This was denied.

Also, suggestions to make the new proposal subject to an official hearing have been rejected.

”This is outrageously arrogant,” says Pernille Skipper, MP of the Red-Green Alliance a leftist party, being part of the government’s political platform in the parliament. Right wing Danish People’s party and Liberal Alliance oppose the proposal as well.

None of the three parties have themselves held governmental positions, contrary to the parties now backing the law.

The EU-style

According to the critics some of the well known political affairs recently would most likely not had been known by the public had the proposed law been in force.

This includes deliberate attempts by the previous government to bypass international conventions on refugees, and a on going case about prime minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt’s personal taxes. In this case members of the former government are suspected of having intervened in decisions taken by the tax authorities, with the purpose to discredit a political opponent.

In spite of the strong criticism, it is assumed that the proposal will pass in Parliament later in spring as a majority of the parties already have agreed to adopt the law.

Readers known to the political process in the EU would recognise this as a parallel to the so called trilogs (”three partite negotiations”) where the Commission and the Council negotiate with representative of the Parliament behind closed doors, leaving the public in the dark, and non-participants only to accept a done deal.

Staffan Dahllöf is a Swedo-Danish journalist specialising in EU issues

As far as I am concerned people may eat as much horse meat as they like. As much, anyhow, as they can eat of e.g. cow, calf, chicken or crab. As long, that is, as the animals have been treated properly before setting out for the journey through the abattoir and on to the diming table.

Consequently, concerning the recent horse meat scandal, my indignation is not aroused by the present of horse meat – but by what the scandal reveals: that the EU food control has broken down in the most pathetic way, and that we, the consumers, are left at the mercy of organised criminals and unscrupulous food manufacturers in the sacred name of the Single Market.

In the EU animals are a commodity, alive or frozen, subjected to the unlimited free movement within the Union. Consequently it is not unusual for a pork chop to have travelled all over Europe before ending up on my frying pan. The horses of the recent scandal were slaughtered in Romania, sold to the Netherlands, sold on again to Cyprus in order to be bought by a French company which sent the meat to be processed at a factory in Luxembourg, after which the resulting product was sent by way of Swedish-based Findus to the frozen foods counters in most EU countries. But the EU Single Market is not only a single market for goods, but also for crimes. And during its journey the meat was “transformed” from being cheap horse meat to becoming expensive beef. And the super profit went straight into the pockets of criminals, enabling them to bribe civil servants and politicians and thus become still more powerful. This is scary!

Consequently it is an understatement of the century when highly placed persons in the EU calls the horsemeat scandal a “labelling problem”. Naturally they are right in saying that it is in itself a scandal that what the labels say is not what the packets contain. When the label says “beef” the consumer should as a matter of course be able to trust that the packet contains beef.

But the true scandal is that this has been taking place for months without being found out and stopped immediately. And that there is no guarantee that there is not more of the same out there in the shops. In this specific case the problem was not discovered until the Irish food control happened to test 27 burger products and to find traces of horse DNA in 10 of them. In some cases there was 75 per cent horse meat in a beef burger!

But horse meat is not dangerous, some people will say. And that is quite right: horse meat as such is not dangerous. Unless, that is, it is full of remnants of medicine because it comes from horses who have been given medicine against various diseases. It could be horse AIDS which is quite widespread in Romania.

But if it is possible for organised criminals to swindle over the sort of meat they will also be able to swindle over the quality of the meat. This leads to the harsh fact that at present the authorities are unable to guarantee be it species, quality or health in manufactured foods. The uninhibited travelling of meat products around the EU proves that the market for foods is out of control.

The short term solution would be to establish an efficient national food control which does not give a contract for the task to foreign authorities, mafia controlled abattoirs or private super market chains whose first priority is profit. In the long run we need a fundamental change in the way food is organised. It is, among other things, about bringing an end to the long transports of living and dead animals, ensuring a connection between where the animals are raised, where they are slaughte

In both cases such solutions will clash with the EU Single Market rules. That means that we shall have to make a choice. The alternative will be more scandals discovered – and still more scandals remaining undiscovered.

Søren Søndergaard is MEP for The Danish People’s Movement Against the EU Translation: Luise Hemmer Pihl

The new Board, elected at the AGM, consists of the following persons:   Patricia McKenna, Co-ordinator People’s Movement, Ireland – pmmckenn@tcd.ie – patriciam.mckenna

Lave Broch, Treasurer People’s Movement, Denmark – lave@folkebevaegelsen.dk - lavebroch

Alain Bournazel Rassemblement pour l’independance de la France, France – bournazel.alain@neuf.fr – alain.bournazel

Helle Hagenau No to EU, Norway – hhagenau@online.no – helle.hagenau

Luise Hemmer Pihl People’s Movement, Denmark – skrodhoj@gmail.com – luisehemmerpihl1

Karoline Runestad Youth against EU, Norway – karoline@umeu.no - karolinerunestad

Mikko Korhonen Alternative to EU, Finland – mikko.p.korhonen@helsinki.fi - mikkohorho

Normund Grostins Ricibas Party, Latvia – normunds.grostins@gmail.com – normunds.grostins

Dora Debeljak Slovenia – dora.debeljak@gmail.com – soncka27   Format: name, position (if applicable), organisation, e-mail, Skype name I hope all the above information is correct 

TEAM AGM 2012 on September 23, 2012 Venue: Red Green Alliance office, Studiestræde 24, Copenhagen Meeting started at 10:15 Participants: Patricia McKenna (People’s Movement, Ireland), Lave Broch (People’s Movement, Denmark), Inger Johansen (Red Green Alliance, Denmark), Esben Madsen (Youth against the EU, Denmark), Muriel Sadlear (Ireland), Anthony Coughlan (National Platform, Ireland), Dora Debeljak (Slovenia), Jesper Morville (People’s Movement, Denmark), Mikko Korhonen(Finland), Pål Olerud (Youth against EU, Norway), Frida Angell (Youth against EU, Norway), Jonas Wenberg (No to EU, Norway), Karoline Runestad (Youth against EU, Norway), Helle Hagenau (No to EU, Norway), Marjatta Herrala (organisation, Finland), Thomas Eisler (Red Green Alliance, Denmark), Normund Grostins (Party of Democratic Action, Latvia), Peter Raben (Red Green Alliance, Denmark), Kjell Dahle (Centre Party, Norway). Chair: Patricia McKenna Minutes taken by Karoline Runestad 1) Apologies Luise Hemmer Pihl (TEAM Board), Young 4 Fun (Switzerland), People’s Movement against the EU (Sweden), Campaign against Euro-Federalism (Great Britain), Forum for Direct Democracy (Switzerland), PANA (Ireland). 2) Minutes of the 2011 AGM and matters arising The minutes were approved without any comments. 3) Financial report Lave presented the financial report for 2011-2012. There were no comments to the report. 4) Report over the work over the last year Helle presented the work of the Board during the past year.

TEAM placed an advertisement in Croatia just before the referendum. TEAM also contributed to the People’s Movements campaign in Ireland by buying prints.

Discussions on the political situation in Croatia and Ireland, in the EU in general and in the Eurozone in particular.

The web site has been updated, and we have created a new fan page on Facebook. We have also gone through all of the affiliated organisations of TEAM to see if they are still in existence, new addresses, e-mails etc.

There were no comments to the work done during the past year.

5) Endorsement of new affiliates to TEAM. Normunds Grostins presented the Ricibas Party (Party of Democratic Action). “Kustiba par Neatkaribu”, the current TEAM affiliate, is now a part of the Ricibas Party, and the party wants to join TEAM. The Board asked the AGM to get the mandate to make the final decision of making them an affiliate after seeing the party’s programme. The AGM endorsed this proposal.

6) Programme of work for 2012/2013 Dora presented the programme of work.

TEAM will continue the upgrade of the website and our page at Facebook.

TEAM is also going to complete the membership review, and try to broaden the network by getting new affiliates and member organisations.

TEAM should, of course, stay updated on the development of the EU and Euro.

Further comments: Lave: TEAM should support the Latvians to get a referendum for the Euro. Helle: The TEAM board cannot possible now [report] all what is happening in the different countries and organisations, so if there are activities where TEAM could contribute the organisations is welcome to contact the board.

7) Report of the Nomination Committee Jesper Morville of the Nomination Committee presented the recommendations from the committee. Dora, Karoline, Alain, Lave, Patricia, Luise and Helle are all willing to continue on the Board. The committee have not been able to get in touch with Olli, and Mikko is proposed as a member of the Board instead. Normunds is also proposed as a new member of the Board.

The recommendation of the Nomination committee: Patricia McKenna (People’s Movement, Ireland) Lave Broch (People’s Movement against the EU, Denmark) Alain Bournazel (Rassemblement pour l’Indépendance de la France, France) Helle Hagenau (No to EU, Norway) Luise Hemmer Pihl (People’s Movement against the EU, Denmark) Karoline Runestad (Youth against EU, Norway) Mikko Korhonen (Alternative to EU, Finland) Normunds Grostins (Party of Democratic Action, Latvia) Dora Debeljak (Slovenia)

8) Election of board The recommendation of the Nomination Committee is approved unanimously. Patricia is re-elected as Coordinator and Lave as Treasurer.

9) Amendments to the TEAM Constitution Anthony presented the suggestion to stop having a Nomination Committee. The Committee does not work the way it should, and therefore there is no use of having it.

The AGM decided to abolish the Nomination Committee and amend the Constitution accordingly, i.e. Article 7 Institutions and Article 10: The Nomination Committee and Board election.

10) Election of Nominations Committee As a consequence of the preceding item 9 (Amendments to the constitution), the item was dropped from the agenda.

12) Written reports from affiliates and delegates. There were no written reports from the organisations. The delegates give an oral presentation of the political situation and the organisation’s work of the present year.

11) Discussion on future operation of TEAM and TEAM board Lave opened the discussion on the future operation of TEAM. The Board had a discussion on this yesterday, and a couple of ideas were presented. The conclusion was that the Board has to be more active and take their duties more seriously to save TEAM’s future. There is no need for an organisation that does not have any activities…

Anthony presented a paper on “Nation, state sovereignty and the European Union - 16 democratic principles” he prepared for the AGM. It was suggested that TEAM could arrange a conference of some sort.

It is a problem that the list of affiliated organisations is decreasing. Helle has been in contact with a few organisations who might be interested in becoming affiliated with TEAM. Instead of arranging our own conference we could also use the already existing meeting points and conferences for meeting new organisations and making contacts for TEAM.

One of the most important tasks of TEAM is helping the member organisations and affiliated organisations campaigning; for example helping Latvia campaigning against joining the Euro zone. TEAM has limited resources and cannot do everything – the resources might be best put to use spent on campaigning rather than arranging a conference.

Co-operation with the EUD is also an alternative. The EUD has more financial resources than TEAM and could help out with some of the expenses, but there are restrictions on the EUDs funding. It would be possible to arrange EUD and TEAM meetings close to each other so that we save expenses without joining them or having a formal relation.

The Board will continue the discussion of the future operation of TEAM on the Board meetings. The Board will also decide where to arrange the AGM next year at its first Board meeting. The meeting closed at 12:20.

PROGRAMME FOR THE TEAM AGM 2012 (minor changes may occur)

Friday the 21st of September

From 18.00 – Get together at the People’s Movement against the EU office (Tordenskjoldsgade 21, st.th. – close to Kongens Nytorv metro station).

Saturday the 22nd of September

[TEAM board meeting from 10.30 to 12.00 at the People’s Movement office]

12.30-16.00 – Euro crisis and alternatives for a better European cooperation

EUD public meeting at Drop Inn, Kompagnistræde 34 in central Copenhagen.

12.30-12.40 Welcome by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD

12.40-12.50 Welcome by Jesper Morville, chairman for the international committee of the People’s Movement against the EU (Denmark)

12.50-13.10 Will Britain get a referendum on the EU membership? By Chris Bruni-Lowe, People’s Pledge (UK)

13.10-13.40 Questions

13.40-14.00 Break

14.00-14.45 The euro crises and how European cooperation be built without the European Union

Kjell Dahle, former secretary general for the Centre Party (Norway) Søren Søndergaard, Member of the EU Parliament for the Danish People’s Movement against the EU. Normund Grostins, board member of EUD from Ricibas Party (Latvia)

14.45-15.35 Debate and questions

15.35- 15.50 Update on current situation regarding Art. 136 Amendment and position of ECJ and status of ESM Treaty (Anthony Coughlan, National Platform - tbc)

15.50-16.00 Closing words by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD

City walk in Copenhagen from 16.15 to 18.15 – for those who does not need a rest – we will walk and look at different sights in Copenhagen.

From 18.30 – Dinner at a restaurant in central Copenhagen

Sunday the 23rd of September

9.00-14.00 TEAM AGM probably in the Red Green Alliance office in central Copenhagen (to be confirmed) Only for TEAM affiliated organizations.

Agenda: 1: Apologies 2: Minutes of 2011 AGM and matters arising 3: Financial report 4: Report of work over the past year 5: Endorsement of new affiliates to TEAM 6: Programme of work for 2012/13 7: Report of Nominations Committee - recommendations for board-members and coordinator (chairman) 8: Election of board, treasurer and coordinator 9: Amendments to TEAM-constitution (suggestion to stop having a nomination committee) 10: Election of Nominations Committee 11: Discussion on future operation of TEAM and TEAM board 12: written reports from affiliates and delegates

13.00-14.00 Lunch

PROGRAMME FOR THE TEAM AGM 2012 (minor changes may occur)

Friday the 21st of September

From 18.00 – Get together at the People’s Movement against the EU office (Tordenskjoldsgade 21, st.th. – close to Kongens Nytorv metro station).

Saturday the 22nd of September

[TEAM board meeting from 10.30 to 12.00 at the People’s Movement office]

12.30-16.00 – Euro crisis and alternatives for a better European cooperation

EUD public meeting at Drop Inn, Kompagnistræde 34 in central Copenhagen.

12.30-12.40 Welcome by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD

12.40-12.50 Welcome by Jesper Morville, chairman for the international committee of the People’s Movement against the EU (Denmark)

12.50-13.10 Will Britain get a referendum on the EU membership? By Chris Bruni-Lowe, People’s Pledge (UK)

13.10-13.40 Questions

13.40-14.00 Break

14.00-14.45 The euro crises and how European cooperation be built without the European Union

Kjell Dahle, former secretary general for the Centre Party (Norway) Søren Søndergaard, Member of the EU Parliament for the Danish People’s Movement against the EU. Normund Grostins, board member of EUD from Ricibas Party (Latvia)

14.45-15.35 Debate and questions

15.35- 15.50 Update on current situation regarding Art. 136 Amendment and position of ECJ and status of ESM Treaty (Anthony Coughlan, National Platform - tbc)

15.50-16.00 Closing words by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD

City walk in Copenhagen from 16.15 to 18.15 – for those who does not need a rest – we will walk and look at different sights in Copenhagen.

From 18.30 – Dinner at a restaurant in central Copenhagen

Sunday the 23rd of September

9.00-14.00 TEAM AGM probably in the Red Green Alliance office in central Copenhagen (to be confirmed) Only for TEAM affiliated organizations.

Agenda: 1: Apologies 2: Minutes of 2011 AGM and matters arising 3: Financial report 4: Report of work over the past year 5: Endorsement of new affiliates to TEAM 6: Programme of work for 2012/13 7: Report of Nominations Committee - recommendations for board-members and coordinator (chairman) 8: Election of board, treasurer and coordinator 9: Amendments to TEAM-constitution (suggestion to stop having a nomination committee) 10: Election of Nominations Committee 11: Discussion on future operation of TEAM and TEAM board 12: written reports from affiliates and delegates

13.00-14.00 Lunch

Friday the 21st of September From 18.00 – Get-together at the People’s Movement against the EU office (Tordenskjoldsgade 21, st.th. – close to Kongens Nytorv metro station). Saturday the 22nd of September 12.30-16.00 – Euro crisis and alternatives for a better European cooperation TEAM and EUD public meeting at Drop Inn, Kompagnistræde 34 in central Copenhagen. 12.30-12.40 Welcome by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD 12.40-12.50 Welcome by Jesper Morville, chairman for the international committee of the People’s Movement against the EU (Denmark) 12.50-13.10 Will Britain have a referendum on the EU membership? Speaker: Representative from People’s Pledge. 13.10-13.40 Questions 13.40-14.00 Break 14.00-14.45 The euro crises and how European cooperation be built without the European Union Kjell Dahle, former Secretary general of the Centre Party (Norway) (confirmed) Søren Søndergaard, Member of the EU Parliament for the Danish People’s Movement against the EU (to be confirmed). Another speaker from an EU country (to be confirmed). 14.45-15.35 Debate and questions 15.35- 15.50 Update on current situation regarding Art. 136 Amendment and position of ECJ and status of ESM Treaty (Anthony Coughlan, National Platform - tbc) 15.50-16.00 Closing words by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD City walk in Copenhagen from 16.15 to 18.15 – for those who do not need a rest – we will walk and look at different sights in Copenhagen. From 18.30 – Dinner at a restaurant in central Copenhagen Sunday the 23rd of September 9.00-14.00 TEAM AGM probably in the Red Green Alliance office in central Copenhagen (to be confirmed) Only for TEAM affiliated organizations. Agenda: 1: Apologies 2: Minutes of 2011 AGM and matters arising 3: Financial report 4: Report of work over the past year 5: Endorsement of new affiliates to TEAM 6: Programme of work for 2012/13 7: Report of Nominations Committee - recommendations for board-members and coordinator (chairman) 8: Election of board, treasurer and coordinator 9: Amendments to TEAM-constitution (suggestion to stop having a nomination committee) 10: Election of Nominations Committee 11: Discussion on future operation of TEAM and TEAM board 12: written reports from affiliates and delegates 13.00-14.00 Lunch

Eurozone Finance Minister, Jurgen Ligi, describes Supreme Court Judges calls for referendum as “pornographic”. The Treaty to Establish the European Stability Mechanism, the one that David Cameron vetoed, goes ahead but has faced a serious rebellion in one of the countries where the treaty was subject to scrutiny by a Constitutional Court – Estonia. Readers of this site will be familiar with events: here and here , that Indrek Teder, the Chancellor of Justice or Constitutional Ombudsman had made an objection to the ESM treaty and called for a Judgment by the Constitutional Court. The headline news was that the ESM Treaty was approved by the court and that passing in Parliament would be constitutional. But there was a large and powerful dissent. There are 19 judges of the Supreme Court and nine of them dissented against the ruling. It was not just the numbers of judges who dissented that is shocking but also the strength of their objections and the language used. Consequently, there is a call for a referendum. At the end of this article are details of how all readers can help. The ESM Treaty was considered by the Estonian Supreme Court en banc, this is the highest body of the Supreme Court, which is comprised of all 19 justices of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court en banc is convened and chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, (Riigikohus), when the case is of too great importance for the Constitutional sub-court. The official communiqué on the judgment of the contested article in the ESM Treaty said that it “limits the financial mandate of Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), the principle of a democratic country with the Rule of Law and infringes upon Estonia’s sovereignty, but the limitations are justified.” Justified? When is it justified to limit the sovereignty and democracy of a nation’s parliament? How? “Stability is necessary for the Estonian state to be able to meet its Constitutional obligations, including guaranteeing individuals’ fundamental rights,” the statement went on to say. So there you have it: it is necessary to make a serious breach of the Constitution in order to be able to meet the Constitutional requirements. Is this Kafka or Orwell? No, it’s the EU. The constitutionality of the ESM was considered by the 19 judges. A total of five dissenting opinions from ten judges were submitted with the ruling. The majority carried because one of these opinions was that the Court should not have considered the Ombudsman’s objections at all. The nine dissenting judges expressed themselves in very clear and strong terms indeed. Jüri Ilvest, Tambet Tampuu, Jaak Luik, in their individual statements made straightforward calls for a referendum. Five Justices, in a joint report, Henn Jõks, Ott Järvesaar, Eerik Kergandberg, Lea Kivi, Ants Kull and Lea Laarma are saying “There are doubts whether the ESM itself is not already such a fundamental change in EU Basic Law which requires permission from the people”. In his interview to the Baltic Times Daily, Estonia’s Finance Minister, Jürgen Ligi, claimed that debates over European bail-out programs are beyond the public’s grasp as well as beyond the abilities of Riigikogu. And, in case you have heard that level of arrogance from politicians before, he went on: “Demands that every single person needs to understand everything and that every single person be polled are, in my mind, pornographic.” In the past independence campaigners have been called “Enemies of the State” (by a Justice Minister) British spies working for Moscow (by a Prime Minister) but being called “pornographic” is new but lower. In Baltic Times, he explained that popularity is not the objective of international relations as not all national interests can be translated to the level of individuals. Mr Ligi, the ESM is not about international relations, it is about people being taxed without control by their representatives in Parliament. The Euro is not stability, it is vanity. Constitutional Court Justice Jüri Ilvest in his different opinion in the case said “My position is that The Constitution of the Republic of Estonia Amendment Act (the act that amended the constitution to allow joining the EU) does not give the right to ratify the Treaty Establishing the European Stability Mechanism (ESM Treaty) without holding a referendum”. Constitutional Court Justice Tambet Tampuu : “As the case has to do with breaching the Estonian Constitution’s basic principles which are listed in the first chapter of the Estonian Constitution, it means that according to Constitutions § 162 these kind of breaches must be decided by the people as a sovereign”.

So, it looks like David Cameron was entirely right to make his “veto”, which was only a British optout in reality. But it must be noted by our British readers that this whole thing has happened without any influence by nor even mention of David Cameron’s action. Perhaps the strongest and most chilling objection was made by Constitutional Court Justice Jaak Luik who actually compared what is happening today with events in 1940. It used to be considered outrageous when a NO-campaigner in the accession referendum made such comparisons with the Soviet occupation but now Constitutional Judges says these things in court: “Because the Estonian Republic law in year 1940 gave to an Estonian President the right to dismiss Estonian Government on basis of special law and also to appoint a new Government it was introduced into the the Estonian Constitution a special sovereign defence clause forbidding giving away the Estonian independence and sovereignty just by norms of competence. .. As the Estonian Constitution § 1 point 2 states: ‘The independence and sovereignty of Estonia are timeless and inalienable’ it means that there is no room for interpretation - the taboo of giving away the sovereignty is absolute for ever and in changing legal space.“ http://www.riigikohus.ee/?id=11&tekst=222548598 Constitutional Court Justice Jüri Ilvest’s different opinion in Court Case said that ” I can not concur to this theory that in a globalised world all concepts - even sovereignty – are having a new revised meaning; that everybody is “voluntarily” giving away or “pooling” every element of freedom and identity created during thousands of years. The objecting judges also noted that this whole process had been rushed through not allowing proper time for consideration nor for all process. It should also be remembered that Estonia commits a higher per capita percentage than any other country. The smaller countries do: Germany 7.45 percent and Italy, 8.05 percent and Estonia 8.52%. Indrek Teder had also questioned that ESM could be imposed by 85% of votes. He said it should be unanimous since the six big countries of the Eurozone controlled 85% and Estonia only 0.186% of votes. In addition to everything else, ESM requires Estonia (population about 1.3 million) to promise 150 million Euros and promises another 1 billion in loans. With every seventh Estonian being in receipt of food-aid and wanting a say on their future, you have to wonder what kind of pornography Jürgen Ligi watches with his fellow ministers. Soldier, businessman and democratic campaigner, Mati Väärtnõu, reminds us that Finance Ministers, like Jürgen Ligi, will have immunity from prosecution under the ESM Treaty – it would rather explain Mr Ligi’s contempt for the opinion if the people and the constitution. Mati Väärtnõu also says ”Estonia, Ireland and everyone will be locked into ESM – there will be no legal way out for any of us.” What you and all Euroscepics can do to help our Estonian friends: Mati Väärtnõu is the initiator of an official petition to parliament demanding a referendum on ESM. Of course sovereignty should not be surrendered even with a referendum, but a referendum is a way of the people stopping what is wrong. Please go to http://www.petitsioon.com/esm_rahvahaaletusele - you are asked, in the boxes, for your first name, family name, town (linn) and country (Riik) and email address. You are asked to click the button to sign (allkirjasta) and asked yes or no (Jah/ei) to your name being visible – best to click “jah”. It has a feature which allows you to say what country you are from. It is also helpful if you click the facebook prompts on that page and also “like” this article and forward it around. Together, Europe can be free of the EU.

http://www.freebritain.org.uk/blog/Free_Britain/post/ESM%E2%80%93_like_1940_says_Estonian_Supreme_Court_judge

Friday the 21st of September

From 18.00 – Get-together at the People’s Movement against the EU office (Tordenskjoldsgade 21, st.th. – close to Kongens Nytorv metro station).

Saturday the 22nd of September

12.30-16.00 – Euro crisis and alternatives for a better European cooperation

TEAM and EUD public meeting at Drop Inn, Kompagnistræde 34 in central Copenhagen.

12.30-12.40 Welcome by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD

12.40-12.50 Welcome by Jesper Morville, chairman for the international committee of the People’s Movement against the EU (Denmark)

12.50-13.10 Will Britain have a referendum on the EU membership? Speaker: Representative from People’s Pledge.

13.10-13.40 Questions

13.40-14.00 Break

14.00-14.45 The euro crises and how European cooperation be built without the European Union

Kjell Dahle, former Secretary general of the Centre Party (Norway) (confirmed) Søren Søndergaard, Member of the EU Parliament for the Danish People’s Movement against the EU (to be confirmed). Another speaker from an EU country (to be confirmed).

14.45-15.35 Debate and questions

15.35- 15.50 Update on current situation regarding Art. 136 Amendment and position of ECJ and status of ESM Treaty (Anthony Coughlan, National Platform - tbc)

15.50-16.00 Closing words by Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland) and president of the EUD

City walk in Copenhagen from 16.15 to 18.15 – for those who do not need a rest – we will walk and look at different sights in Copenhagen.

From 18.30 – Dinner at a restaurant in central Copenhagen

Sunday the 23rd of September

9.00-14.00 TEAM AGM probably in the Red Green Alliance office in central Copenhagen (to be confirmed) Only for TEAM affiliated organizations.

Agenda: 1: Apologies 2: Minutes of 2011 AGM and matters arising 3: Financial report 4: Report of work over the past year 5: Endorsement of new affiliates to TEAM 6: Programme of work for 2012/13 7: Report of Nominations Committee - recommendations for board-members and coordinator (chairman) 8: Election of board, treasurer and coordinator 9: Amendments to TEAM-constitution (suggestion to stop having a nomination committee) 10: Election of Nominations Committee 11: Discussion on future operation of TEAM and TEAM board 12: written reports from affiliates and delegates

13.00-14.00 Lunch

35.410 signatures handed over to the European Affairs Committee.

The signatures are not just about a referendum, but they also reflect the need for a broad discussion on the matter, said MEP Søren Søndergaard from the Danish People´s Movement against the EU, when the signatures were handed over to the Danish Parliament’s European Affairs Committee yesterday by a delegation of organizations, which have supported the petition actively.

In a short period a total of 35.410 signatures were collected online, in workplaces, on the streets and others places from Danes, who wants to vote on the new Euro Treaty, the so called Fiscal Treaty.

“We see it as symbolic that the Fiscal Treaty is being debated on the same day as the Irish referendum takes place. I have recently been in Ireland twice and I have been very impressed by the great debate they have had. We too have previously experienced a massive public debate during referenda,” said Søndergaard as he handing over the signatures.

“The purpose of the signatures was, of course, to underline what the opinion polls have shown: a desire for a referendum, but it has also been a desire to have a debate instead of a simple parliamentary resolution. Whether you are an EU supporter, sceptic or EU opponent, it is dangerous if people are being excluded from crucial decisions!”

On Thursday May 31th, at the same time as our Parliament is debating the Fiscal Treaty the Danish People’s Movement will have an event for a referendum between 11.00 and 12.00 in front of the Christiansborg Palace (The Danish Parliament).

For further information or comments, please contact: Søren Søndergaard, MEP on mobile +45 40 45 38 39 or Ib Roslund CIO on mobile + 45 20 16 65 67 or Lave K. Broch, campaign coordinator on mobile +45 28 92 21 27

or

The Danish People’s Movement against the EU secretariat at telephone + 45 35 36 37 40 or e-mail: fb@folkebevaegelsen.dk

Croatia will vote in a referendum on EU membership the 22nd of January

TEAM – The European alliance of EU critical movements believes that Croatia’s Accession Agreement with the EU is extremely problematic for the Croatian economy and for the welfare of the Croatian people.

The main reason for TEAM’s concern is that, this accession agreement contains a binding commitment by the Croatian government to join the euro and the EMU. To make such a promise - when the euro is in its worst crisis ever - is an incomprehensible step that defies logic.

The Croatian government ought to demand an EU treaty guaranteed opt-out from the euro – just like Denmark and UK have. Without such an opt-out TEAM advices the Croatian people to vote “NO” to EU membership in the forthcoming referendum.

For further information please contact:

Patricia McKenna, coordinator of TEAM (Ireland), phone number 00 353 87 242 70 49 or e-mail: pmmckenna@eircom.net

Lave K. Broch, board member of TEAM (Denmark), phone number 00 45 – 28 92 21 27 or e-mail: lave@folkebevaegelsen.dk

Croatia will have a referendum concerning EU membership the 22nd of January.   The Danish People’s Movement against the EU’s believes that it is the worst time ever for Croatia to join the European Union.   First of all the EU is becoming a more and more centralized union and Croatia’s influence will be marginal.   Secondly the EU is in its worst crisis ever and Croatia does not have an opt out from the euro as e.g. Denmark. This means that Croatia will be bound to a currency union in great trouble. The welfare risks for the Croatian citizen are great.   The Danish People’s Movement suggests that Croatia should join the EFTA, the European Free Trade Association, instead of the European Union. Membership of EFTA will give the Croatian citizens possibilities to work, study, live and travel, trade in all EFTA and EU countries just like the citizens of the EU. However Croatians citizens will be able to have more democratic influence. And the Croatian economy does not have to be connected to the failing EU Monetary Union and the euro.
 
For further information please contact:

Jesper Morville, chairman of the international committee of the Danish People’s Movement against the EU phone: 0045-23633537 and e-mail: jespermorville@mail.dk

or Lave K. Broch, campaign coordinator of the Danish People’s Movement against the EU phone: 0045-28922127/0045-35363740 and e-mail: lave@folkebevaegelsen.dk
 
Relevant websites:
 
The Peoples’s Movement against the EU: www.folkebevaegelsen.dk

EFTA: www.efta.int
 
The Danish People’s Movement against the EU is a cross political movement working on a democratic and non-racist platform for democracy, the Nordic welfare system, sustainable environment and international solidarity. The main goal for the movement is Danish withdrawal from the EU. The People’s Movement has been represented in the EU parliament since the first direct election in 1979 and our current MEP is Søren Søndergaard. The People’s Movement has around 100 local branches across Denmark and around 3000 individual members.

Will it never stop? Month by month the number og Norwegians saying that they are against EU membership.

The most recent poll, made by Sentio for Nationen, a newspaper, shows a record high share of the respondents on the No side, 79.8 per cent, while only 12.6 side with Yes.

The No side leads in all age groups and in urban as well as rural areas.

Two years ago, an investor, Jens Ulltveit-Moe doneted 100.000 Norwegian kroner (appr. € 12.000) to Høyre, Norway’s Conservative Party, to encourage the party to work harder for Norwegian EU membership, according to NKR, Norway’s public broadcasting company. He is not deterred by the crisis in the Eurozone. He says:

”The countries in Southern Europe will have to undergo the same drastic economic measures as Norway and Sweden underwent during the early 1990es. At the end of that period our economies were strengthened. I am convinced that the same thing will happen in Southern Europe, but the process is going to be more noisy. However, the initial change of governments in Greece, Italy and Spain are promising.”

Stoltenberg: I am not going to make a third attempt

During his recent visit to the Congress of the German Social Democratic Parti (SPD) Norway’s prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, affirmed the close ties between his party and the SPD, despise Norway’s being outside the EU, writes Nationen.

Mr Stoltenberg added, however, that he was not going to make a third attempt to make the Norwegians vote for EU membership, as he would have to be quite certain to win a referendum.

Norway has had two referenda on EU membership, in 1972 and 1994, both resulting in a No.

Sources: http://m.nrk.no/m/artikkel.jsp?art_id=17904313 http://www.nationen.no/2011/12/04/politikk/eu/jens_stoltenberg/arbeiderpartiet/tyskland/7090831/

A new poll published today (Nov. 17, 2011) in Iceland by the Icelandic polling company MMR for the local think tank Andriki.

• 50.5 percent of Icelanders want to withdraw the application, 35.3 percent want to carry on with it and 14.2 percent have not made up their minds.

• Of those who favour withdrawal of the application 38.8 percent strongly favour withdrawal while 23.8 percent strongly oppose it.

• The poll was produced November 10-14, 879 people were asked.

Sources: http://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2011/11/16/fleiri_vilja_haetta_vid_umsokn/ http://andriki.is/post/12898554715

Hjörtur Jónas Guðmundsson”, hjorturg@hi.is

A fresh poll reveals a clear majority for keeping the EU Opt-Outs. ”This shows how wrong it is to hand over power to the EU without asking the people,” according to Søren Søndergaard, MEP for the Danish People’s Movement Against the EU, calling for a referendum on the surrender of sovereignty in the area of finance.

Today (Nov. 15, 2011) Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten, a Danish daily, is publishing a poll made by the Rambøll institute. This poll shows a clear majority for keeping not only the Euro Opt-Out, but also the Opt-Outs on Justice and Home Affairs and on Defence, which the Government are planning to abolish after referenda.

63.2 per cent of the respondents want to keep the Euro Opt-Out, while only 25.8 per cent want to abolish it. 47.5 per cent want to keep the Opt-Out on Defence, while 31.1 per cent want to abolish it. 45.1 per cent want to keep the Opt-Out on Justice and Home Affairs, while 33.7 want to abolish it.

”These figures mirror a deep and widespread anxiety about the entire EU project. They show how wrong it is to hand over power to the EU without asking the people. At the background of this poll it would in a democratic sense be irresponsible to hand over more power over financial policies,” according to Søren Søndergaard, MEP for the Danish People’s Movement Against the EU, calling for a referendum on the surrender of sovereignty in the area of finance (including the Euro Plus Pact and the six Directives on Financial Governance).

Further information from, and comments to: Søren Søndergaard, MEP, +45 40 45 38 49, e-mail: soren@folkebevaegelsen.dk or Ib Roslund, Information Officer, +45 33 36 37 40, e-mail: ib@folkebevaegelsen.dk

At the same time as Greece is in a deep financial crisis Iceland is lifting itself out of its crisis.

The public debt is expected to be halved by 2014, and economic growth is at 2.5 per cent. But the gigantic EU bail-out packets for Greece have not had any effect.

”For us it has been important that we have our own currency, ” says Steingrímur J. Sigfússon to Standpunkt, the journal of Norway’s No to EU.

”People in Greece are suffering; they cannot cope with their day-to-day life; they cannot buy food; they are evicted from their homes,” says Jannis Barbantonis, president of the Greek Association in Norway to NRK, the Norwegian Broadcast Corporation.

This desperate situation is, according to Jannis Barbantonis, the background for Prime Minister Papandreou’s decision to call a referendum on the EU crisis bail-out packet.

The packet is not a light at the end of the tunnel for the Greeks who want to re-negotiate the conditions of the loans, with a lower rate of interest and a 40 year maturity, he says, and continues to point out that the bail-out does not reduce the debt by half. The fact is, says he, that out of the €380 billion Greek debt €260 is in government bonds which are not included in the bail-out.

Wishing you every success with your annual convention.
  The Danish People’s Movement has been an invaluable part the Danish political landscape for many years.  Despite the many obstacles, both blatant and subtle, erected by the EU establishment, your movement has managed to survive and remain central contributor to debates on the EU and how it impacts on the key fundamental principles of democracy. However, your impact has not just been at a national level. Throughout all the member states of the EU your effect has been felt and for this we are eternally thankful.

The impact of your organization has been felt right across EU member states. Campaign’s on EU referenda have not only been inspired by you but have also received invaluable and crucial support in trying to defeat further EU treaty changes that have further eroded our democracies. At this crucial period of EU chaos it is essential that you keep up the good work so that you can help like-minded groups in other countries.   Without your inspiration and support the No votes to EU treaty change may never have happened.   Both TEAM and the EUD have come about as a result of your work and campaign and members of both organizations will be looking forward to working together with you in the crucial months and years ahead.   Denmark is now facing yet another attempt to erode the few democratic protection measures that you have managed to achieve over the years – your opt-outs of Justice & Home Affairs, Military and EURO seem to be once again under threat. Many people across the EU are envious of your achievements and we will endeavor to help you in fighting against the forthcoming attempts to remove your valuable opt-outs.   Sincere best wishes for your future success.   Patricia McKenna
Coordinator of TEAM
President -  EUD

The Annual General Meeting of TEAM in London on Oct 1, 2011, elected the following members of the TEAM Board

Patricia McKenna, Ireland, – Coordinator - pmmckenna@eircom.net
Stuart Coster, UK - coster@democracymovement.org.uk
Sigrid Heiberg, Norway - sigrid.heiberg@gmail.com
Helle Hagenau, Norway - hhagenau@online.no
Karoline Runestad, Norway - runestadkaroline@gmail.com
Dora Debeljak, Slovenia - soncka_1999@yahoo.com
Alain Bournazel, France - alainbournazel@gmail.com
Ingela Mårtensson, Sweden - ingela_martensson@hotmail.com
Lave Knud Broch, Denmark – Treasurer - lave@folkebevaegelsen.dk
Luise Hemmer Pihl, Denmark - skrodhoj@gmail.com
Olli Salin, Finland - olli.salin@hel.fi

”It must be truly uphill work to campaign for Norway joining the EU, ” comments Heming Oluassen, leader of No to EU, referring to the latest Sentio poll on the issue, published on October 23.

According to the poll, 70,8 per cent of the respondents say No to Norwegian EU membership, while 18.6 per cent say Yes. 10.6 per cent are undecided. The poll was made for two Norwegian newspapers, Nationen and Klassekampen.

At the same time, dissatisfaction with Norway’s EEA membership, which obliges the country to follow the laws of the EU Single Market, is growing.

“This manifests itself in concern and partly in anger caused by the way in which the EEA agreement is undermining our policy for the rural areas and a decent labour market in Norway,” says Heming Olaussen to Nationen and continues: This is going to be the new EU debate: How much EU influence are we going to accept when we have chosen to stay outside?”

Source: http://www.nationen.no/2011/10/23/politikk/eu/eu-barometer/heming_olaussen/nei_til_eu/7003314/

Minutes of the 2011 Annual General Meeting of TEAM held in Overseas House, Royal Overseas League,  Park Place, St James’s Street, London SWlA ILR on Saturday 1 October 2011.

Guests:  Jan A. Johannsson, Sweden; David Wilkinson,  UK Apologies:  Dora Debeljak, Slovenia; Johannes Rindal, Senterungdommen, Norway; Kjell Dahle, Senterpartiet, Norway; John Mills, Secretary, Labour Euro-Safeguards Campaign, UK; Hans Lindqvist, EU-kritiska Centernetvarket, Sweden; Normunds Grostins, Latvia;Poul Ruppen, Europa Magazin, Switzerland; Max Andersson, Miljöpartiet, Sweden; Gorazd Drevensek, Slovenia;  Helle Hagenau, Norway; Antti Pesonen, Finland; Mauri Nygaard, Finland.

Coordinator: Patricia McKenna, Ireland The minutes of the last meeting held in 2010 were read.  Muriel Saidlear, Ireland, agreed to take the minutes for this year’s AGM. It was agreed that minutes giving such lengthy details of discussions and speakers would not be required in future.

l.   Financial Report Lave Broch, Denmark,  gave his comments in addition to the report. Under the heading Income/expenditure An entry under Isafold, Iceland: reading  l SEK is set to 1,3438 DKK, was corrected to read l DKK is set to l,3438 SEK After this  correction was made  the Financial Report was passed and the meeting thanked Lave Broch for his work as Treasurer.

1.  Report of work over the past year TEAM helped in relation to the campaign for a referendum on Eurozone membership in Estonia by organizing meetings, opinion polls and data which could be used in the future.  This work was recognized as being very useful by the Estonian campaign. It was pointed out that keeping up-to-date lists of  TEAM membership was very time-consuming and onerous and it was suggested that one member of the incoming Board should be appointed to take responsibility for this task. The length of time in which to pursue subscriptions in the case of non-payment was decided to be one year after which, having given the affiliate notice, TEAM membership would terminate. UKIP has not paid its subscription for the year 2010-11.  It was therefore decided to allow UKIP’s membership to lapse. The TEAM webpage, which Luise Hemmer-Pihl, Denmark, had agreed to operate for the year 2010-11 to replace the Slovenian operator who had stood down, was functioning but not to its full potential. It needed to be up-dated every day if possible to attract a wide audience. It was decided that a website consisting of information from Open Europe, EU Observer, and reports from different affiliates should be posted  perhaps in the form of a newsletter which would be controlled and under the auspices of TEAM. The Link with Facebook,Twitter, etc. which would give immediate access with photographic input etc. could be used as a backup but without TEAM being responsible.  This latter would be organized and operated by the young Norwegian members.  A deadline should be set for entries to this website link inputs.

2.  Work Programme for 2011-12 This overlapped to some extent with Item No.4 on the Agenda, Report on work over the past year. Regarding the website discussion, John Boyd, UK, said he would be willing to help in a small way.  The Norwegian Youth group offered to help to operate the Link aspect of the website and in this context it was decided that they should be invited to become members of the Board irrespective of the fact that Norway would have the largest national group on the board. Lave Broch gave a report from the People’s Movement in Denmark on the upcoming Danish referendum. There will be a referendum in 2012 on EU justice policy and EU military policy – the exact date is not yet fixed. There is a Danish court case due to start on 26 March 2012 dealing with the validity of the Danish ratification of the Lisbon Treaty. The presidency of the EU will be held by Denmark in the first part of 2012. It was agreed that TEAM should help in every way possible in Denmark’s referendum and in Iceland’s referendum on EU membership. The situation in Croatia needed to be handled with care to avoid TEAM becoming involved with extreme racists campaigners in the upcoming referendum on Croatia’s application for EU membership.

3. Endorsement of new TEAM affiliates There were no new affiliates.

4. Nominations Committee It was proposed that this Committee be discontinued.  However, because of TEAM’s Constitution this will have to wait until next year’s AGM when  a formal proposal to amend the constitution to this effect be put forward.  This was agreed.  One member of the incoming Board should be appointed to be responsible for this. It was decided that a date for next year’s AGM should be set as soon as possible by the Board so that it could be broadened out into wider areas for debate and discussion involving organisations concerned with environmental, peace issues and such like.

5.  Election of board, treasurer and coordinator The following were elected to the Board: Stuart Coster, UK, Sigrid Heiberg, Norway, Helle Hagenau, Norway, Karoline Runestad. Norway, Dora Debeljak, Slovenia,   Alain Bournazel, France, Ingela Mårtensson, Sweden, Patricia McKenna, Ireland – Coordinator, Lave Knud Broch, Denmark – Treasurer, Luise Hemmer Pihl, Denmark, Olli Salin, Finland

Both the Coordinator and Treasurer agreed to continue in these positions for another year. Lea Launakari, Finland, is not going forward this year.

1.  Amendments to TEAM Constitution It was agreed that the Nomination Committee be discontinued forthwith and that the Constitution should be so amended at the next AGM. Thanks were expressed to Jan Johannsson, EU Democrats, for his help in organizing the meetingplace in London.

Reports from affiliates for the different European countries were then given by those present.

Programme

FRIDAY, September 30th

For TEAM Board members only:

16.00-18.00 - Board meeting at the office of People’s Pledge, 83 Victoria Street, London SW1H OHW

For all participants in the TEAM Annual General Meeting:

19.00: We are invited to a celebration of the Jubilee of Get Britain Out, including a buffet supper. The Venue will be in central London and will be announced as soon as possible.

SATURDAY, October 1st

For all TEAM organisation members:

10.00-13.00 - Official TEAM AGM Venue: Overseas House (Royal Overseas League), London, Park Pl, London SW1A 1 LR

Agenda:
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of 2010 AGM and matters arising
3. Financial report
4. Report of work over the past year
5. Endorsement of new TEAM affiliates
6. Work Programme for 2011/12
7. Report of the Nominations Committee – recommendations for Board members and coordinator (chairman)
8. Election of board, treasurer and coordinator
9. Amendments to the TEAM constitution
10. Election of the Nominations Committee
11. Discussion on the futute operation of TEAM and the TEAM board
12. Written reports from affiliates and delegates

13.00-14.00 - Lunch break

PUBLIC MEETING

Venue:Overseas House (Royal Overseas League), Lomdon, Park Pl, London SW1A 1 LR
Official organizers : TEAM and EUD (Eudemocrats)

14.15-14.30: Welcome by TEAM coordinator Patricia McKenna
14.30-15.00: THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AND THE EURO Anthony Coughlan, Senior Lecturer Emeritus in Social Policy of Trinity College, Dublin, and a British Trade Unionist – name not confirmed
15.00-15.30: Debate

15.30-16.00 Break

IS THERE A FUTURE OUTSIDE THE EU?

16.00-17.00 Edward Spalton, chair of CIB, and Sigrid Heiberg, board member of No to EU, Norway
17.00-18.00 Debate

18.00-18.15 Closing of the meeting

By Wolfgang Munchau, Financial Times, 12 September 2011

The two real options for a resolution of the eurozone crisis came into full conflict last week. The first is a common eurozone bond. The second is a monetisation of national debt through the European Central Bank. Angela Merkel rejects the former. Europe’s central bankers reject the latter. Jürgen Stark, a member of the European Central Bank’s executive board, rejects both, and last week resigned in protest. Along with other conservative economists, he is advocating a third way, adjustment through depression – the simultaneous deleveraging of the private and public sector debt.

As an advocate of eurozone bonds, I have to admit their prospect looks grim after last week’s ruling of the German constitutional court. The court upheld the European financial adjustment facility, the crisis mechanism. This was, undoubtedly, good news. But after I read the whole ruling, which ran to 29 tightly written pages, I realised that this judgement was not a victory for the eurozone at all. On the contrary, it categorically rules out any policy option beyond what has been agreed so far. I cannot see how it can be consistent with the survival of the eurozone, given the policies of member states and the ECB.

Much of the language in this document is opaque constitutional jargon. But on the issues that matter, the ruling is surprisingly, and depressingly, clear. It says the German government must not accept permanent mechanisms – as opposed to the EFSF, which is temporary – with the following criteria: if they involve a permanent liability to other countries; if these liabilities are very large or incalculable; and if foreign governments, through their actions, can trigger the payment of the guarantees. If I were a plaintiff in this case, I would regard that statement as an open invitation by the court to bring a new case against the European stability mechanism.

The ESM will be the permanent successor to the EFSF from 2013. It fulfils a good subset of those conditions. The justices ruled with a seven to one majority in this case, but later said it was a close decision. If the plaintiffs were to bring a much more focused case against a more ambitious mechanism, they might stand a better chance.

If the ESM is a borderline case under German constitutional law, there can be no such doubt about a eurobond. The court’s verdict leaves me no alternative but to conclude they are indeed unconstitutional.

Moreover, you cannot get around this unfortunate fact with an ingenious combination of eurocratic trickery and financial engineering. The court, quite cleverly, did not mention eurobonds. It talked about liabilities. The Bundestag is not precluded from giving money to Greece, but it cannot empower a third party, such as the EFSF or ESM, let alone a hypothetical European Debt Agency, from usurping sovereign power. Sovereignty can be delegated in small slices, but not permanently.

A eurobond is, of course, a permanent mechanism. It also involves a permanent loss of control. Its size is very likely to be substantial. There would not be any point in issuing a small eurobond – it would not resolve the crisis. And unless member states were to transfer some of their sovereignty to Brussels, all the inherent risks in the structure would come from non-compliance by national governments or parliaments. In other words, a eurobond perfectly matches the conditions set by the constitutional court for an arrangement that violates the German constitution.

What if the EU decided to create a fiscal union after all? The constitutional court already decided in its ruling on the Lisbon Treaty that this is not possible either. A fiscal union would require a referendum, in which the German electorate would decide to abolish the sovereign German state, and transfer sovereignty from Berlin to Brussels. Suffice to say, that this is not very likely to happen. So we have an impasse. No matter how you organise a future fiscal space in the eurozone, it will either be meaningless, or infringe the German constitution.

Moreover, the political hurdles have also gone up recently. Angela Merkel has ruled it out so forcefully that she cannot turn her back on this promise. Even the leaders of the opposition, who are more sympathetic to the idea, would find themselves constrained by the ruling.

What does this mean? First, the ruling significantly increases the probability of default by one or several member states. This is a simple consequence of the Law of Large Numbers. There are now so many hurdles in place that a systemic accident is very likely to happen at some point. Do we really think the Bundestag, after having reluctantly accepted the need for a second Greek loan programme, will vote for a third? Or a second Portuguese or second Irish programme? Will they vote Yes once the EFSF starts buying bonds, or recapitalising banks? It takes a single No vote to trigger a default. When that happens, there will be no time left for diplomacy.

The ruling leaves a post-Stark ECB as the sole backstop that could prevent a break-up of the eurozone. Next week I will explain why this option is not going to work either.

Anthony Coughlan recommends this interesting article on the German Constitutional Court’s verdict on the current Eurozone bailout fund, published in Financial Times, September 12, 2011

On his blog, TEAM board member Alain Bournazel, points out that the very measure of the EU member countries ”helping” each other out of the crisis with gap-stopping loans actually sharpens the crisis.

He also points out the that crisis has hit only members of the Eurozone, whereas Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, countries that have kept their national currency, have not been hit.

The article follows here in the original French.

La crise - La tentation du pire

Alain Bournazel

Ce qu’on appelle communément la crise est en fait la conjonction de plusieurs crises qui éclatent simultanément en plusieurs points du globe. Avec des économies largement mondialisées, les crises s’entretiennent mutuellement, ce qui rend leur règlement plus difficile. Mais il faut savoir sérier les problèmes. Les Etats-Unis sont confrontés à un réel problème d’équilibre de leurs finances publiques (ce qui n’est pas nouveau). Mais l’économie américaine a suffisamment de ressources et le dollar reste malgré tout suffisamment fort pour que les Etats-Unis s’en sortent sans trop de difficultés.

Le problème de la zone euro est beaucoup plus préoccupant. Les pays de la zone – l’Allemagne mise à part – sont asphyxiés par des déficits publics de plus en plus difficiles à combler du fait que leur économie est complètement anémiée par l’euro. On constatera d’ailleurs que la crise financière en Europe frappe presque exclusivement les pays de la zone euro. Personne ne parle de crise pour la Suisse, le Danemark, la Suède, la Norvège qui ont conservé leur monnaie nationale. Cette réalité met à nu le bobard de l’euro qui devait nous apporter la stabilité et la croissance.

Si la Grèce, l’Espagne, l’Italie et le Portugal n’étaient pas dans la zone euro, ils pourraient s’en sortir par une dévaluation qui leur permettrait de remettre leur économie à un niveau compétitif. Enfermés dans la zone euro, ils n’ont d’autres solutions que d’attendre une aide massive venant des autres pays de la zone. Mais cette aide fragilise les pays donateurs qui sont eux-mêmes fortement endettés ce qui est le cas de la France. La mutualisation des dettes au niveau européen que d’aucuns présentent comme le remède est en réalité la pire car elle ébranle l’ensemble. La faiblesse des uns devient la faiblesse de tous.

Pour empêcher cette fragilisation, les tenants de la cause européenne préconisent une politique de rigueur. Certes, il est souhaitable que les finances publiques soient en équilibre. Ce serait possible pour la France si elle mettait un terme au gaspillage insensé des deniers publics dilapidés par des opérations douteuses et des causes stupides. Mais la rigueur en soi n’est pas une solution car elle accroît des problèmes qui n’ont nullement besoin de l’être, en particulier celui du chômage.

Bref au lieu des interminables palabres, nous avons besoin aujourd’hui d’une politique de redressement national conduite avec vigueur. Le nouveau gouvernement qui a pris la direction des affaires au mois de juin en Finlande à la suite des dernières élections législatives a pris des mesures pour remettre en ordre les comptes publics. Le traitement des ministres a été réduit de 5%. Exemple à méditer.