Merkel's flexible line is rooted in history

WELL-NIGH sensational was how commentators described Angela Merkel's apparent sympathy for some of David Cameron's central issues behind the British quest for a renegotiated settlement with the European Union. Whether on action to curb a disruptive tide of migrants from other parts of Europe, or on steps to make Europe less bureaucratic and more competitive, the German chancellor's message to the UK prime minister last Friday in Berlin was that she understood the British position.

The smart money maintains that curtailing free movement of people within the EU is out of the question: "Thou shalt not tamper with a hallowed EU principle". And yet here was Mrs Merkel breezily asserting that changing treaties was "not impossible".

Germany wants to be a "constructive partner" for Britain, she continued, and "work very closely together" on renegotiations. To top it, she inserted a proverb which is identical on both sides of the channel: "Where there's a will there's a way".