Macron courts EU’s eastern leaders over posted workers, antagonises Poland

Snubbing Poland, French President Emmanuel Macron is touring eastern EU countries to gather support for tightening EU rules over the employment of cheap labour in other member states. But Warsaw said it would oppose this reform “to the very end”.

In Romania, Macron got lukewarm support for his push to revamp the posted workers directive, but enough for him to express confidence of a deal by year-end.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said the concerns of countries in the east needed addressing, as well as those of the west, but gave no details on what he would deem acceptable after meeting Macron.

Macron wants to overhaul a system which allows posted workers to work in other European Union countries on contracts that need only guarantee the host country’s minimum wage, and allow taxes and social charges to be paid in the home nation.

He says the system creates unfair competition in wealthier nations like France and Germany.

“I’m convinced we can reach an agreement before the end of the year,” Macron told a joint news conference.

Macron versus Eastern Europe

The French president has found a scapegoat in temporary workers from Eastern Europe, making the same mistake as the UK in the lead up to Brexit, writes Antonia Colibasanu.

Although posted workers make up only 1% of the EU workforce, the politically sensitive issue, which in recent years has deepened the divide between the rich west and poor east, is a first step in the French leader’s drive to re-shape Europe.

“It is very important to avoid useless simplification,” Iohannis said. “On the one hand, there is discontent in France over undeclared workers, on the other hand there are many people in Eastern Europe, in Romania, who want to work in France, Germany, Spain.

“It is clear the directive needs to be improved.”

On Wednesday (23 August), Macron won the backing of Slovakia and the Czech Republic, scoring a symbolic victory over the eurosceptic governments of Poland and Hungary which have led efforts in the region to block reform of the labour directive.

Macron calls for a 'radical reform' of Europe

The French and Austrian heads of state shared their views on EU workers from low-pay countries and on the future of the EU during a summit in Vienna. EURACTIV France reports.

Macron told Iohannis he was open to Romania joining Europe’s open-borders Schengen group and said it was in the eastern European country’s interest to be a part of a more deeply integrated Europe.

Romania still wants to join shaky Schengen

Romania’s Prime Minister still wants to see his country join Schengen, despite it having an uncertain future. EURACTIV France reports.

Failure to reform the EU would threaten the bloc’s future, he said.

“Part of Britain’s Brexit vote was down to the poor functioning of the single market on posted worker rules, and the rules we have on social rights,” Macron said.

Central Europe divide

Macron’s election win revived the EU’s Franco-German axis but in central and eastern Europe it fanned fears of a “multi-speed” Europe that could mean reduced influence, financial support and economic competitiveness.

Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło said on Thursday (24 August) that Poland would not change its position regarding the EU’s directive on posted workers.

The Poland-based think tank Labour Mobility Initiative estimates that by 2020, over 1 million people would lose their current jobs in CEE companies because of the changes in the posted workers directive currently proposed by the European Commission.

“We will defend our position to the very end, because it is a position that is in the interests of Polish workers,” said Szydło.

The Brief, powered by Eni: Troublemaker Poland needs patience

At least three EU countries are troublemakers (not to mention the one ‘walking dead’ member state). Hungary receives a lot of attention but the most severe case is Poland.

Macron signalled on Wednesday that those countries which rallied behind his push for deeper integration would have their place at the negotiation table.

Some leaders have made clear they don’t want to be left out.

“In Salzburg, I declared the strong interest of the Czech Republic to be present at the discussion about the future of Europe and also to influence it,” Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Twitter after meeting Macron.

Sobotka’s government has floated a plan to gain eurozone observer status, a further sign it does not want to be sidelined.

Meanwhile Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, who once said Brussels bureaucrats were “detached from reality”, has warmed towards the EU after Britain’s Brexit vote and Macron’s election.

Fico ends coalition crisis, insists Slovakia should stick to EU’s core

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico struck a deal on Tuesday (15 August) to keep his three-party coalition in power, ending a week-long crisis triggered when a Eurosceptic junior partner threatened to quit.

He now says he wants Slovakia’s future to lie “close to the (EU) core, close to France, close to Germany.”

Slovakia and the Czech Republic’s re-positioning closer to the heart of Europe leaves Poland and Hungary – both of which Macron is shunning on his trip – appearing increasingly isolated. The four countries make up the Visegrad Four group.

EU opens sanctions procedure against Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic over refugees

The EU launched legal action yesterday (13 June) against Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic for refusing to take in their share of refugees under a controversial solidarity plan.

Polish and Hungarian officials sought to downplay any divide.

“The Visegrad members differ on some issues and present diverse positions,” said Ryszard Czarnecki, a deputy speaker in the European Parliament from Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party: “Let’s not fall into hysterics. The Visegrad group works together on the most important cases.”

An eventual new directive on posted workers will be decided by a majority vote, rather than unanimity. Even if the Visegrad Four, Romania and Bulgaria joined forces, they could not block it on their own.

Spain joins Poland in opposing EU posted workers law

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his Polish counterpart, Beata Szydło, last week reaffirmed their commitment to the European project but reiterated their concerns about the EU’s posted workers directive. EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.

Macron arrived yesterday night in Sofia. This is the first visit of a French President to Bulgaria since the country joined the EU in 2007.

Read more with Euractiv

Macron on course for clashes with unions over labour reform

The French government this week entered the home straight in its preparation for labour market reform. This flagship project of Emmanuel Macron’s young presidency will provide an explosive end to the summer holidays. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.