German SPD eyes fiscal pact vote in coming weeks | Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/12/eurozone-germany-pact-idUSL5E8HC3VN20120612
My thoughts:
SPD's Steinmeier seems to be jockeying with Merkel for the next election, to oppose her for Chancellor. He is holding court with Hollande and FTT is a political wedge. Sarkozy didn't do well supporting FTT trying to hold back socialists, and hopefully Merkel will see that, too.
SPD is holding the fiscal compact hostage over FTT and I hope the fiscal compact just gets punted to August in Germany. The EU may meltdown more by then and hopefully Germany will back off bailouts and needing that fiscal compact. Without Germany as FTT anchor, there won't be enhanced cooperation with 9 for FTT.
EU federalizing with a banking union and bailouts buttresses arguments for FTT - to pay for that federal layer and banking/bailout union. Without federalizing, there is no need for cooperation on FTT.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/12/eurozone-germany-pact-idUSL5E8HC3VN20120612
My thoughts:
SPD's Steinmeier seems to be jockeying with Merkel for the next election, to oppose her for Chancellor. He is holding court with Hollande and FTT is a political wedge. Sarkozy didn't do well supporting FTT trying to hold back socialists, and hopefully Merkel will see that, too.
SPD is holding the fiscal compact hostage over FTT and I hope the fiscal compact just gets punted to August in Germany. The EU may meltdown more by then and hopefully Germany will back off bailouts and needing that fiscal compact. Without Germany as FTT anchor, there won't be enhanced cooperation with 9 for FTT.
EU federalizing with a banking union and bailouts buttresses arguments for FTT - to pay for that federal layer and banking/bailout union. Without federalizing, there is no need for cooperation on FTT.