EU Economy - Slow Ahead

Tuesday 26 January, 2016 Written by Florian Ede

ECONOMY — What EU claims to believe: In the past few days European Commissioners have seemed unsure which line to take on the state of the European economy. Journalist Florian Ede asked three members what they thought and reported: “We are seeing recovery in 27 of 28 member states,” “Growth is back in Europe,” and there are “Five countries in recession, ten in a period of stagnation.”

ABC Comment: If that is the good news, it is lucky we are not getting any bad news.

Meanwhile a huge row is brewing in Denmark about decision to confiscate refugees assets on arrival.

The country has drawn international criticism for plans to seize valuables and block family reunifications but Danish lawmakers aren’t playing to global public opinion. They say they’re responding to domestic concerns about the impact of thousands of migrants on their way of life.

Under the plans — almost certain to receive parliamentary backing in a vote Tuesday — police will be able to search refugees and their luggage, looking for cash or assets worth over €1,300, which would be seized and sold off to help pay for their upkeep. Authorities are saying they are not confiscating sentimental items like wedding rings. Switzerland and two German regions — Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg — already seize refugees’ valuables. But Denmark would be the first EU country to take such steps.

“We don’t want to have refugees everywhere because this is not good for integration,” said Kirsten Ketscher, a professor of social security and welfare law at the University of Copenhagen. She said local authorities were swamped and Danes worried about strains on the welfare system.