According to the Daily Telegraph’s front page on Wednesday, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has “signalled that she may be willing to compromise on the issue of free movement”, suggesting “in comments interpreted as a significant shift” that Britain “may be able to gain full control of its borders while retaining access to the single market”. The Daily Mail, similarly, said Merkel “conceded the EU could overhaul its rules on migration”, adding that she had done so “only to try to keep Britain in the single market”. Apparently, from Merkel’s subsequent suggestion that while the EU “cannot wobble” on the basic principles of free movement, there was room for discussion within the bloc on the level of benefits available to EU citizens who exercise their right to free movement. The debate on tackling welfare tourism is still live in Germany, and it is important to remember Merkel was addressing the German employers’ federation. But it would be very wrong to confuse that debate with any willingness to budge on the fundamental principle of free movement.

Source: The Guardian November 16, 2016 12:28 UTC