Is Europe about to implode?
As rumoured conflict between the UK French alliance and the German government continue to do the rounds in Europe there was fresh concerns for the relationship between member states today with news that Italy and Germany are pressing the EU to intervene in the French rail industry. They claim that state-owned railways have a distinct advantage over the free market in the rest of Europe in what many see as payback time for backing the UK during the recent economic rescue package talks.
With the UK and Germany at loggerheads, the French and Germans at loggerheads and many more EU members unsure exactly what to do to refloat their economies, there would appear to be food for further conflict. We are seeing the start of a definite split within Europe and the demise of the ancient French German alliance. Gordon Brown has positioned himself impeccably within Europe and has caught the ear of French president Sarkozy who has become a very powerful ally.
Exactly how this will impact upon the make-up of the EU remains to be seen but there is certainly potential for a major power shift in the short to medium term. Whether the UK will indeed benefit remains to be seen.
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