BAD DAY FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND ITS ECONOMY

Judging by the successful nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker to head the European Commission, David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Great Britain has chosen the wrong battle. The European Union states voted 26-2 to appoint the former Prime Minister of Luxembourg to be the next president of the European Commission. It appears that instead of obtaining concession from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr. Cameron has brought Great Britain closer to secession from the European Union. Unfortunately for Mr. Cameron and the United Kingdom, the secession would cost the latter approximately 3 million jobs. David Cameron forced a vote in an attempt to block the selection of Jean-Claude Juncker, seen as a backer of closer political union, which U.K. vehemently opposes. But EU states voted 26-2 to appoint Mr. Juncker to the presidency. Apparently, Mr. Cameron's strategy had "totally failed" and he has been "comprehensively and humiliatingly" outvoted, as per the words of Labour leader, Ed Miliband. Only Great Britain and Hungary voted against the appointment. Another victory for Angela Merkel and the concept of closer political union in EU, another defeat for David Cameron and his model of loose ties binding the members of EU. I have to admit that in light of the United States disengaging itself more and more from the European matters as it switches its attentions to Pacific Ocean countries and starts to deal with growing China economic power, there is not much choice for the Europeans but to bring to a closer union its member states even if those states would cede some of their sovereignty to the EU. In fact, in light of Russia's recent actions and the United States looking toward the Pacific, the European Union should create their own rapid units of military forces to counteract growing might and appetites of Putin's Russia. To me, born in Poland, the country which experienced so much suffering and destruction from both Russia and Germany commencing with the partitions of Poland in the second half of 18th century, through 19th century uprisings and World Wars of the 20th century, until the victory over the communism brought by the Solidarity movement, there is no other way but to embrace a closer EU. The U.K. has a choice, it can always go its own way.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City attorney writing on legal and other important community topics. You can contact him by telephone (212) 634-4250 or through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com