One of Angela Merkel's closest allies demanded that Britain be 'less selfish' towards the EU, despite being outside the single currency and consider levying a Europe-wide financial tax to help the ailing eurozone.
Volker Kauder claimed the whole of Europe was now speaking German by following Angela Merkel's leadership and so should Britain.
He launched into the stinging attack on the UK's financial policies, cranking up tensions ahead of David Cameron's visit to Berlin on Friday.
The German government believes Britain should start taxing financial transactions to help prop up the battered single currency, which could cost the City billions.
Both the Prime Minister and George Osborne have blocked the proposed "Robin Hood tax," with the Chancellor claiming it is a "bullet aimed at the heart of London".
Brussels believes it could raise up to £35billion but it has been called "economic suicide."
Yesterday Mr Kauder, the parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Union, said it was unacceptable for Britain to be "only defending its own interests". » | Emily Fox for express.co.uk | Wednesday, November 16, 2011
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: European Union debt crisis: Britain must help rescue eurozone, say Germans – Britain must give more to the European Union and cannot “get away” with not contributing to the eurozone rescue package, a senior German government figure has said. » | Robert Winnett, Political Editor | Tuesday, November 15, 2011
WELT ONLINE: "Auf einmal wird in Europa Deutsch gesprochen": Schuldenbremse, Haushaltsdisziplin, stärkere Kontrolle: Unions-Fraktionschef Kauder fordert eine einheitliche Politik in Europa – und teilt gegen Erdogan aus. » | Reuters/dpa/pku/mcz | Dienstag 15. November 2011
