No one wishes to endanger the four freedoms

Topics for the upcoming EU summit, scheduled to take place February 18 to 19, were on the agenda of the European Parliament’s plenary session on Wednesday. In addition to highlighting the importance of free movement, MEP Schöpflin warned of other possible scenarios and consequences related to the EU’s agreement with the UK. “Whatever the nature of the package that will emerge, the strategy of the United Kingdom has turned out to be a high risk one.” According to MEP Schöpflin, the UK referendum on EU membership is first and foremost about domestic politics – satisfying the Eurosceptics – but whatever the content of the EU deal, it will not calm things down.

 

Meanwhile, the question of what kind of institutional relationship the EU and the other 27 Member States can count on remains important. It remains unclear whether the UK will receive further allowances for staying in the Union or what will happen if a majority votes to leave the EU. In the latter case, MEP Schöpflin foresees the possibility of years of mayhem to come. Additionally, the possibility of restrictions on the free movement of labour raises further questions regarding the integrity of the other three freedoms – e.g., the free movement of capital, services, and EU citizens. “No one wants to see these freedoms endangered,” the Fidesz MEP stated.