Cut domestic costs first

The conservative daily Lidové noviny finds little good to say about the EU's "Europe 2020" strategy, recalling the bon mot by former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt: "A politician who starts having visions should consult a doctor": "But what to do if the entire EU Commission starts having visions? The document assumes that the crisis needs greater economic coordination - meaning the transition to a European economic government. At first glance the Commission's goals look great, but they conceal concrete political disputes. For that reason alone the document deserves a full and proper debate. For its part the Commission sees the paper as a sort of treasure that should be approved by the heads of state and government as early as next month if possible. But luckily some are being more reserved with their comments, for example Angela Merkel. She recommends her colleagues should dream less of a European economic government and focus first on cutting costs at home."

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