Disputes prevent consensus on European Union labor flow agreement

Due to the opposition of Spain, European Union members have failed to reach a consensus with candidate countries on the issue of restricting the free flow of labor. At the heart of the deadlock is a dispute between Spain and Germany. Spain is withholding its support on the labor issue, while arguing that it should not lose out financially as a result of EU subsidies being offered to poorer countries such as Poland and Hungary. On the other hand, Germany is supporting the idea of extending to the maximum the transition period for workers from candidate countries to move freely within the EU. According to chief Spanish negotiator, Josep Pique, there should be no restrictions concerning the EU labor market, and the stand of Germany, supported by Austria, is too harsh. "I don't see the possibility of reaching an agreement if the stands of other EU countries are so divergent," added Pique. (Zycie, p.1; Gazeta Wyborcza, p.1) A.Z.