It’s not only Theresa May that will have a say in Britain’s exit from the European Union, the leaders of countries across the bloc will also determine negotiations – and perhaps none more so than German chancellor Angela Merkel.
Today, Merkel gave her first interview since Theresa May’s Brexit speech alongside Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, and outlined that both were “determined” that talks between the UK and the European Union will not take place until Article 50 is triggered.
Reported on by
Bloomberg, Merkel noted that refraining from talks with British counterparts until the Brexit is implemented also applies to “our respective industries”.
“I am not overly concerned that we won’t stay united,” she remarked. “The be-all and end-all is that Europe doesn’t let itself be divided, and we will ensure this through very intensive contacts.”
According to the newswire, Merkel spoke to May over the phone after her speech and said she now has a “clear impression” of how May wishes to proceed.
Separately, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker noted that there will be challenges for the UK in its efforts to strike a deal.
“It will be a very, very, very difficult negotiation,” he told reporters in Strasbourg, France.
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