BRUSSELS ROUT
EU picks ultra-federalist who wants ‘United States of Europe’ as next president
A GERMAN eurofederalist who wants a United States of Europe with its own army is on the cusp of becoming the next Brussels chief.
Ursula von der Leyen — who is Angela Merkel’s defence minister — was put forward by EU leaders last night to take over from Jean-Claude Juncker on November 1.
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Spain’s abrasive foreign minister Josep Borrell, who has gloated about the EU declaring Gibraltar a colony, is earmarked as foreign affairs chief.
While Brexit-bashing Belgian PM Charles Michel looks set to be EU Council boss, assuming a key role in trade talks with Britain.
The leadership package, if approved by the EU Parliament, will be a nightmare for the next British PM. Mrs von der Leyen, the first woman to be nominated for the bloc’s top job, once laid into Brexit as “a burst bubble of hollow promises by populists”.
'NO RENEGOTIATION' OF BACKSTOP
She has also been a staunch supporter of the German government’s position in the negotiations, including “no renegotiation” of the backstop.
And in 2011 she said: “My goal is the United States of Europe — based on the model of the federal states of Switzerland, Germany or the US.” Mr Borrell has repeatedly baited Britain over Gibraltar’s future, saying Brexit will drive the territory into the arms of Madrid.
While federalist Mr Michel has backed French president Emmanuel Macron’s hardline stance on Brexit, saying in 2017: “When you push that Brexit button, there is a bill to pay.”
Last night Mr Macron upped the ante by declaring the EU must have “no fear” of letting Britain leave without a deal on October 31.
THE SUN SAYS: EUSLESS LOT
THERE is a sobering lesson in the EU’s dismal inability to agree a new leader.
This bickering club of 28 nations is structurally incapable of decisions. When it did finally put forward a candidate for President, she was a scandal-plagued German defence minister.
Even President Macron moaned: “Our credibility is profoundly tainted.”
Yet this unwieldy, dithering EU will supposedly make a rapid trade deal with Britain rendering the toxic Irish backstop obsolete. We no longer believe it.
The EU does nothing rapidly. Besides, it would prefer us trapped for ever in its customs union. That would be fatal to our economic future post-Brexit.
The Tories must ensure an escape route to the backstop — or No Deal.
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He went on: “If you fear No Deal, you are a hostage to the ones you are facing.”
CANADA is refusing to continue the terms of its EU free-trade deal with the UK under a No Deal Brexit, a British trade official claimed last night.
It comes as Trade Secretary Liam Fox tries to rollover the removal of 98 per cent of tariffs on goods sold to Canada.
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The President of the European Commission Jean Claude-Juncker says 'We will not renegotiate Brexit deal'
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