Emmanuel Macron, the French Economy Minister said it was time to "accept the idea of a two-speed" Europe, allowing some countries to opt out from creating unity and integration among the 28 member states.
President of the European Parliament and German Social Democrat, Martin Schultz, has also urged members to accept the demands from British Prime Minister David Cameron to be left out of the EU objective of an "ever closer union" and not to unite more closely with other member states.
The personal comments suggest that the political rhetoric from two of the most influential European countries signifies the willingness to talk about a deal for Britain to become a semi-detached member of the EU.
#Cameron needs to balance domestic expectations with the inclinations of EU partners: http://t.co/XAiywubFB7 #Brexit pic.twitter.com/YKJ3gVace1
— Chatham House (@ChathamHouse) May 28, 2015
But as Britain's Prime Minister seeks to section off the UK from the European Union, Emmanuel Macron, speaking to Le Journal du Dimanche, said: "The Eurozone avant-garde must go towards more solidarity and integration: a common budget, a common borrowing capability and fiscal convergence," seemingly leaving countries like Britain behind.
Angela Merkel, in a meeting with David Cameron last week, said that Germany was willing to look at compromises to make sure Britain stayed within the EU. Among the reforms David Cameron wants in order for Britain's relationship with the EU to continue, is for the UK to be able to curb welfare payments to migrants and a guarantee that countries outside the EU will not be penalized by an "ever closer union".
Purpose of upcoming #EUreferendum isn't about minute changes to EU rules on migrant benefits but ultimately on who governs Britain
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 1, 2015
But with some countries agreeing to an "ever closer union" and others keen to keep the EU at arm's-length, if Britain's demand for exemption from the EU objective of such a union is accepted, it could leave Britain out of the EU loop — with other countries wanting to follow suit.
A Frexit, Brexit and a Grexit
Drawing parallels with the UK's promised referendum on its membership of the European Union, France's right-wing party, National Front, has also called for a vote on its membership of the EU.
Florian Philippot, National Front deputy leader and European Parliament member said France should "follow the British example."
According to President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Junker, a Greek exit from the Eurozone, a so-called 'Grexit', could damage trust in the single currency and prompt international investment to pull out of Europe.
Meanwhile, German Social Democratic Party members have reacted angrily to the comments made by President Martin Schultz, who said the UK should be allowed to opt out of an "ever closer union" with EU countries.
"We need a sense of compromise on both sides, a sense of reality from London and not just dreams of a 'Commonwealth of Europe'. Great Britain won't get anything given away," Jo Leinen, Social Democrat MEP, told reporters.
