EU ups and downs

This week, we look at media comment on the German elections, on EU aid to laid-off Dell workers in Ireland, and on EU vulnerability after the US decision to scrap a planned missile shield in Eastern Europe.

FDP gets our vote

If we had a vote in Germany’s election, it would be for the FDP, which has been the boldest in suggesting tax and welfare reform, writes The Economist.

… The country’s grim demographic outlook could bust the budget; too much regulation and an excessively generous welfare state together hold back job creation and inhibit entrepreneurship; the education system no longer serves secondary-school children or university students well; and there is a pressing need to reorient the economy away from high savings and a reliance on exports and towards higher consumption and the industries that cater to it. None of these is easy to deal with. But a fresh Merkel government is far more likely to make the attempt if it takes the form of a CDU-FDP (black-yellow) coalition than if it is another grand coalition. …

Helping themselves

The Wall Street Journal writes that EU aid to laid-off Dell workers in Ireland is Brussel’s attempt to buy itself votes in the country, which will soon decide on the EU Lisbon Treaty.

When is politically directed state aid in Europe acceptable to the European Commission? Not when the German government tries to save jobs in the auto industry, or when the U.K. and others prop up failing banks. But these rules don't apply when it's Brussels itself trying to buy off a favored constituency. ... Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso announced €14.8 million in aid to help 2,400 laid-off Dell workers in Ireland find new jobs. ... What makes Ireland's jobless uniquely deserving? … Our guess: Their votes.

Vulnerable Europe?

Barack Obama’s decision to scrap a planned missile shield in Eastern Europe has left America’s allies in central and eastern Europe vulnerable, writes the Financial Times.

… Moscow may now be tempted to exploit what it sees as a tactical victory over the US on missile defence. The west must minimize the dangers. Having accepted that Nato enlargement is,for now, off the agenda it must focus on boosting the security of existing alliance members. The US should deploy a planned American-manned Patriot missile unit in Poland. Nato should expand military exercises in eastern Europe, especially the Baltic states. Meanwhile, Nato’s newer members must, despite the economic crisis, implement long-overdue military modernisation. …