Only Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron wants to take action against unemployed EU citizens, now also plans to Germany temporary restrictions. The Brussels Commission is appalled, even conservative European politicians warn of right-wing populism.

“The free movement within the EU must be less free.” This prompted the British Prime Minister David Cameron this week in a commentary for the “Financial Times”. Detailed he listed on how Britain wished to restrict access to benefits for EU citizens. The attack on one of the most popular fundamental rights caused outrage across Europe. But Cameron defended himself that he is not alone. Germany, Austria and the Netherlands shared his opinion.

In fact, the four countries had complained in April in a joint letter, the burden of their welfare systems by migrants and asked the EU Commission to remedy the situation. In the new coalition agreement, the CSU has established several critical migration passages under the heading “poverty migration within the EU”. National and European law should be changed so that “incentives for migration to the social security system will be reduced,” it says on page 108 For this is, among other things “the facilitation of temporary re-entry barriers” is necessary. Also, exclusion of benefits for job-seekers should be “clarified”.

The intensification of the rhetoric is related to an impending date together: from 1 January is considered the full free movement of workers for Romania and Bulgaria. Both countries have since 2007 a ​​full EU member, but the labor market access for its citizens was as yet limited in nine EU countries. Experts believe that the feared onslaught will not be forthcoming, because the majority of people wanting to leave is abroad long ago. Nevertheless, many politicians are nervous in Western Europe. In particular, Cameron fears a march through the right-wing populist Freedom Party Ukip in the European elections in the spring.

“Authorized concerns and problems of the Member States”

At the next meeting of EU interior ministers on 5 December want Germany and the UK therefore make renewed pressure. Germany acting Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich (CSU) will arrive. “The Commission is called upon to respond in their final written report for the forthcoming Council in December to the legitimate concerns and problems of the Member States and identify real solutions,” says a spokesman for the Interior Ministry. From a German point of view it go in particular to the question of what measures and sanctions against the “abuse of the right to free movement on the basis of European law” are admissible. “This is especially true for the imposition of temporary re-entry barriers”,

Britain has much more far-reaching plans : The Cameron government wants to cut even services such as child benefit for EU citizens and talk about new rules for future candidate countries. You should only receive access to the EU labor market if their countries had reached a certain per capita income. From the Ministry of the Interior states: ” Individual national measures, intended to take other Member States in this regard , we do not comment on it. ”

Austria and the Netherlands , however, seem to have the issue now ticked . Austria currently see no need for action , the problem of social tourism spend it not in the country, said a spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Vienna. In the Dutch Ministry of Labour stated that they would look at Cameron’s plans. But we currently have no own demands to the EU. The main concern in The Hague is not the social power abuse, but the question of how one could ensure equal wages for Romanian and Bulgarian migrants.

EU Commission considers the problem of exaggerated

The European Commission presented this week in response to the Home Secretary a ” five-point plan” . You want to publish a handbook on sham marriages to make clear the rules for the place of residence test , offer online training for municipal officials and invite in February several mayors to learn about “best practices” . Moreover, the resources of the EU Social Fund to be used to improve living conditions in poor EU countries. From tougher sanctions against migrants is no question .

The Commission considers the problem of exaggerated. ” Not a single Member State has so far provide evidence that there is social tourism ,” says a spokesperson of EU Social Affairs Commissioner László Andor . The number of non-working EU immigrants remains in most countries at less than five percent. The majority of them are students and pensioners . A study by the Centre for European Policy Studies , in September to the conclusion that social benefits exerted no magnetic effect on EU migrants .

From Brussels perspective need to be amended no European laws. Already allowed the EU Free Movement Directive the Member States to take in the case of social power abuse “all necessary measures” against EU foreigners, including expulsion.

Even the Conservatives in the European Parliament hold the British campaign exaggerated. “Cameron should stop running after Ukip,” said Manfred Weber (CSU), Group Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. “Through his rhetoric, he makes Ukip only strong.” Immigration in social systems is excluded by EU law. Should there be enforcement problems, first would have the national capacities are fully utilized.

Goes even further by EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding. They urged the British to think about an exit from the single European market.