Battlegrounds looming

So, Germany wants to inspect the the health of the French economy and doubtless give advice on what should be done to improve the health of the latter's economy.  A distinct frost in the Berlin/Paris relationship.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9667687/German-risks-rift-with-France-over-economic-healthcheck-demands.html

Note the language: 'demands'.

Meanwhile:

lhttp://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/top-german-and-eu-politicians-blast-britain-and-france-over-budget-a-866352.html

Note the language again. 'Berlin and Brussels demand more from London and Paris'. Why on earth should the EC make demands on sovereign states?  A glimpse into the future of a federal Europe? A foretaste of 'ever closer union'?

Battle commences:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/9668841/EU-budget-talks-collapse-following-rows-over-funding-increase.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20269373
Talks 'acrimonious'.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/9669458/EU-funding-crisis-as-talks-collapse.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/9670365/Weve-been-on-the-back-foot-with-the-EU-ever-since-we-joined.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9673547/Angela-Merkel-sticks-to-austerity-script-in-Portugal-as-revolt-builds.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-chancellor-met-with-protests-during-first-portugal-visit-a-866925.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9676707/Anti-austerity-strikes-launched-in-Eurozone.html

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-mayors-refuse-to-send-athens-lists-of-employees-to-lay-off-a-867060.html

http://www.itv.com/news/2012-11-14/an-important-day-and-not-just-because-of-the-general-strikes/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9679076/Europeans-vent-their-anger-as-cuts-bite.html