Angela Merkel Tells David Cameron: I Can Help Handle Welfare Abuses By Migrants
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday offered help to Prime Minister David Cameron in tackling abuses of Britain's welfare system by migrants in the European Union, but remained firm in her conviction that freedom of movement in the bloc should not be touched.
According to Reuters, Britain's top official is set to propose reforms on the E.U. during a meeting with Merkel in London to discuss Germany's leadership in the G7.
With the Conservative Party losing support to the Eurosceptic U.K. Independence Party (U.K.I.P.) before an election in May, Cameron wants to renegotiate ties with the E.U. before an in-out referendum on Britain's membership, which he promised by 2017-- if his party is still in power.
Cameron has prioritized controlling the movement of E.U. citizens to Britain, as immigration remains to be a concern among voters. There is a fear, according to the U.K.I.P. and some members of Cameron's party, that workers from poorer E.U. member countries are depressing wages and are coming to collect more generous welfare benefits.
While Merkel also wants to end welfare abuse, she clarified that she is not in favor of diluting the right of E.U. workers to find work wherever in the bloc.
"We have no doubt about the principle of freedom of movement being in any way questioned," Merkel was quoted by Reuters as saying in a joint press conference with the British leader. "We are looking at the legal (aspect) and we are looking at legislation here ... abuse needs to be fought against so that freedom of movement can prevail."
Cameron has stopped short of proposing a limitation on the number of E.U. citizens coming to Britain but wants to control migrants' access to welfare payments, including making them wait four years before being allowed to get benefits.
"One has to take a very close look at the social security systems of individual member states ... and to what extent they have to be adjusted. And that's something we need to address," said the German chancellor.
Back in Merkel's turf, anti-immigration protesters have marched against what they consider as Europe's Islamization and against refugees who freeload on the country.