The European Union under review

Amid calls for change, European Union leaders have agreed to review the bloc's agenda and priorities.

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Too big and too bossy, that's the British prime minister's verdict on the European Union, after an anti-EU swing in European elections.

Amid calls for change, EU leaders have agreed to review the bloc's agenda and priorities.

After a euroskeptic voter backlash - EU leaders met in Brussels for a postmortem.

The British prime minister, David Cameron, says the EU can't carry on as it did before.

"Brussels has got too big, too bossy, too interfering. We need change. We need an approach that recognizes that Europe should concentrate on what matters, on growth and jobs, and not try to do so much."

Other leaders too are urging change - among them the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte.

"As far as I'm concerned the answer lies in fewer rules, and less fuss from Europe, and focusing Europe on where it can add value to things."

The French president, Francois Hollande wants the EU to address unemployment, instability, and inequality across Europe

"My role here is to keep on doing what I have been doing for the past two years: re-orient Europe with even more force, because, if in a few years Europe hasn't met expectations, then there will be other votes in France and elsewhere against Europe. I am a European. I want Europe to change."

The calls for a re-think on the future of Europe follow big gains by anti-EU and far right parties in European parliiament elections.

Marine Le Pen from the National Front in France, and other election winners, have been setting out their agendas.

"Our objective is to block, with our elected members, all harmful developments, by the European Union, which involves defending, in all circumstances, the interests of France and the French.

The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy says the message from voters is clear, and EU leaders have agreed to review policies and priorities.

"All the leaders agree that a key issue at hand is to set these priorities. Voters sent a strong message and this message was at the heart of our discussions."

But it's not yet clear if Germany will back less austerity and a simpler EU, doing less.

As they deal with a big protest vote, the leaders remain divided over who should head the powerful EU Commission.


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3 min read

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Updated

By Vesna Nazor


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