He suggested that it was a great shame Germany's constitution prohibited plebiscites, since what was really needed to facilitate EU enlargement was the kind of open debate and clear public backing in Europe's largest state that never occurred during the adoption of the euro. What he has done, though, is to address the growing ambivalence of Germans towards enlargement. Verheugen claimed his intention was to ensure enlargement happens but does so with popular support too, thereby ensuring its success. If they were asked their opinion, they would vote against admitting Poland and other Central European states and one of the great European projects the only strong stimulus for internal EU reform would collapse. The German public's concerns about enlargement are that it may lead to new immigrants taking German workers' jobs, small businesses suffering from the competition and increased taxes to fund the new member states' transitional period.
Immigration policy is a sensitive issue in Germany.
Opening the door The policy favoured by Germany of encouraging primary immigration is now to be followed by Britain. Despite protestations to the contrary, the UK government hopes thereby to reduce its escalating number of economic immigrants claiming asylum. Many of these migrants either originate from CEE countries or have passed through them on their way west. Earlier this year, Romany beggars from Romania were the subject of some outrageous political and tabloid vitriol. Time for another volte-face .