German Chancellor Angela Merkel, just ahead of a meeting with British Premier David Cameron, said, on 7 June, that the EU’s powers have to be boosted even if some other member states do not want to follow. Greater eurozone integration is the priority.

“We need more Europe [...] a budget union [...] and we need a political union first and foremost,” Merkel told German public television. “We must, step by step, cede responsibilities to Europe.”

The unwillingness of other countries to move along with further integration cannot prevent other member states from going ahead. “We must not remain immobile because one country or another does not want to follow yet,” said Merkel. Before a meeting with Commission President José Manuel Barroso, on 4 June, Merkel had already said that more Europe was necessary “at least within the eurozone”.

These comments come ahead of the European Council, on 28-29 June, where the leaders are expected to discuss a growth plan (topics on the table: project bonds, EIB capital boost, reallocation of the Structural Funds, controversial eurobonds, expanding the eurozone bailout fund and creating pan-EU bank guarantees).

Merkel sought, nevertheless, to temper expectations saying she does not believe one summit can settle everything “in one fell swoop”.