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EU split over €200bn financial rescue package
The EU is becoming more divided over a €200bn European commission economic recovery plan, with France and the UK eager for the financial stimulus package but Germany more critical of the proposals, reports the FT.
France, the UK and others say that an extra German stimulus would help not merely the German economy but the EU as a whole.
However, German chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday reportedly ruled out significant tax cuts and Peer Steinbrück, German finance minister, has likened countries that are ready to adopt large-scale deficit spending programmes to "lemmings", hurrying down the path to mass suicide.
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Aer Lingus bins Ryanair bid
Ryanair has made a fresh bid for its local rival Aer Lingus, with Irish ministers cautiously considering the move despite the risk of Ryanair dominating Dublin airport, one of the major routes to and from Ireland, reports the FT.
Ryanair's first bid for Aer Lingus was blocked in June last year by EU competition authorities on the grounds that the merged airline would have an overwhelming presence at Dublin airport and in the Irish market, and would have harmed passenger interests.
However, the Irish Examiner reports that Aer Lingus last night rejected the bid, saying it significantly undervalues the airline, while Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said it would allow an Irish carrier to "conquer the world".
Le Soir has picked up on the story as well, saying that in a statement released last night, Aer Lingus has been advising shareholders to reject Ryanair's €748m offer.
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EU set to unveil eastern partnership plan
European external relations chief Benita Ferrero-Waldner is to present a proposal on Wednesday on improving relations with the EU’s eastern neighbours, reports Deutsche Welle.
The ‘eastern partnership’ proposal, first put forward by Poland and Sweden earlier this year, and endorsed by European leaders at the June council, is to become the focal point of the Czech presidency, says the website, which takes office from 1 January.
Speaking on a trip to Prague, Ferrero-Waldner said the plan would denote “a real investment... in order for the Eastern countries to really have a chance to get closer to us”.
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Fifa chief wants quotas despite lack of EU support
The head of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, said on Monday that he will press ahead with controversial plans to restrict the number of foreign players in club football, despite continued opposition from the European commission, reports the IHT.
Blatter is eager to implement the '6+5' rule, which would limit teams to just five foreigner players in their starting line-ups.
Following an informal meeting of sports officials and European sports ministers in Biarritz, Blatter said that he was happy with "the unanimous agreement voiced by the 27 European sports ministers on the need for dialogue and discussion of the '6+5' rule while respecting its compatibility with EU law".
Spanish Socialists gear up for victory in 2009 EU elections
Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has proclaimed a Socialist victory in next year’s European elections, reports El País.
Spanish Socialist MEPs met on Monday in Madrid to sign a manifesto, ‘People first, a new course for Europe’, says the paper, which contains 71 measures including a promise to create 10 million jobs by 2020 and new regulations for the financial market.
The PSE is currently the second-largest party in parliament, with 215 deputies (the EPP is the largest, with 286).
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UK 'plans to join the euro' dismissed
Claims by European commission president José Manuel Barroso that the "people who matter in Britain" are currently thinking about the UK joining the euro were dismissed yesterday, reports the Guardian.
Barroso had told French radio station RTL over the weekend that conversations with British politicians about UK membership of the eurozone had led him to believe that "we are now closer than ever".
