Storm clouds gather over EU unity as bloc forms camps for showdown over post-Brexit budget
EUROPE’S “surprising” level of unity on Brexit may not last as the bloc splits into two camps for an epic battle over its future budget, EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker has admitted.
By NICK GUTTERIDGE, BRUSSELS CORRESPONDENT
Express.co.uk
Mon, May 1, 2017
The EU Commission boss conceded there are serious disagreements within the club over how Brussels should finance its gargantuan needs without Britain which are threatening to shatter the current calm.
Angela Merkel is currently acting as a peacemaker between the two rival camps, urging the 27 member states to hold off on bickering until a financial settlement has been reached with the UK.
But her Government has already placed itself firmly in alliance with the EU streamliners, who want to see the bloc’s budget slashed and efficiency increased after Britain’s departure.
Net contributors to the project are insisting they will not pay in a penny more than they do already post-Brexit, which would mean the EU cashpot shrinking by £10bn a year.
However many southern and eastern states, who fear having their centralised funding cut, are seeking a settlement which forces the richer countries to cover the cost of losing their second largest net contributor.
After an unusually swift meeting of the 27 member states on Saturday, at which they agreed the bloc’s Brexit guidelines in just four minutes, Mr Juncker warned such obvious unity would not always be on display.
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