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Merkel Vows to Keep Europe Together After ‘Brexit’ E.U. Leaders Divided Over How to Respond to ‘Brexit’ Vote
(about 1 hour later)
BERLIN — Stunned by Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, leaders of the bloc’s member states converged in Brussels on Tuesday to respond to one of the greatest challenges ever to confront the 28-nation bloc. BRUSSELS — Stunned and divided by Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, leaders of the bloc’s member states converged in Brussels on Tuesday to prepare for a painful divorce, although Britain’s own political crisis made any rapid separation unlikely.
Before departing for Brussels, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany said she would use “all her strength” to prevent the European Union from drifting apart. European leaders were struggling to strike a delicate balance: leaving the door open just enough for a possible compromise with Britain, while making it clear that they would not make any further concessions to get Britain to change its mind.
In a 20-minute speech to the Bundestag, the lower house of Parliament, Ms. Merkel said she expected that Britain would want to maintain “close relations” with the European Union after it leaves, but also signaled that Britain could not expect business as usual. “Whoever wants to leave this family cannot expect to have no more obligations but to keep the privileges,” she said. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany said she would use “all her strength” to prevent the European Union from drifting apart, but she emphaized that nothing legally could begin to be done to address Britain’s relations with the bloc until it triggered the legal mechanism for leaving — something that Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain has refused to do, insisting that whoever succeeds him should make that decision.
Ms. Merkel reiterated that there could be no talks with Britain on leaving the European Union until Britain starts formal procedures to leave — a point she made on Monday after meeting with the leaders of France and Italy — and quashed any idea of exploring alternative arrangements before then. Before leaving for Brussels, Ms. Merkel told her Parliament that Britain would want to maintain “close relations” with the European Union, but also signaled that it could not expect business as usual.
“The talks can begin only then, and not before — either formally or informally,” she said. “Whoever wants to leave this family cannot expect to have no more obligations but to keep the privileges,” she said. “There must be and will be a noticeable difference between whether a country wants to be a member of the European Union family or not.”
She made clear that Britain could not expect full access to the European Union’s common market without accepting its conditions, including the free movement of people. Immigration was the crux of the often ugly debate that accompanied the so-called Brexit campaign. Ms. Merkel quashed any idea of exploring alternative arrangements before then until Britain starts formal procedures to leave, a point she made on Monday after meeting with the leaders of France and Italy. “The talks can begin only then, and not before — either formally or informally,” she said.
“There must be and will be a noticeable difference between whether a country wants to be a member of the European Union family or not,” Ms. Merkel said. She made clear that Britain could not expect full access to the European Union’s common market without accepting its conditions, including the free movement of people. Immigration was the crux of the often ugly debate that accompanied the so-called Brexit campaign. Ms. Merkel said.
Arriving for the leaders’ meeting, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain told reporters, “I’ll be explaining that Britain will be leaving the European Union, but I want that process to be as constructive as possible, and I hope the outcome can be as constructive as possible.” President François Hollande of France was among a group of European leaders who pushed Britain to act quickly and resolve the uncertainty that has consumed the Continent.
Mr. Cameron will dine with his counterparts Tuesday evening to discuss the aftershocks of the British referendum on Thursday, but will then return to London — leaving the other leaders to spend Wednesday reflecting on the bloc’s future. “We need to begin the United Kingdom’s exit process from the European Union as quickly as possible, and then start the negotiations that will follow,” Mr. Hollande said. “I can’t imagine that a British government, whichever one it may be, would not respect the choice of its own people.”
Mr. Hollande said that Britain had decided to leave and that it was important for the European Union to move on. “The British have made a choice,” he told reporters. “By a large majority they decided to leave the European Union. We must draw all the conclusions, even though I regret this choice — but I want to respect it.”
He added: “We must also as Europeans draw a certain number of conclusions. A new impulse is necessary: protect our borders, invest more, turn towards youth and organize the eurozone in a more democratic way, so that it may also harmonize fiscal and social policies.”
Other leaders shared Mr. Hollande’s impatience. The prime minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, said that Britain and Europe could be “married, or divorced, but not something between.”
But Joseph Muscat, the prime minister of Malta, said the bloc should not obsess over the minutiae of Britain’s departure, but instead on the bloc’s future.
“I think it’s utterly disappointing that, when we are faced with the biggest political crisis in the history of the European Union, what’s grabbing the headlines is the obscure Article 50,” he told reporters, referring to the treaty provision that details how a country can leave the bloc.
The major issue is “that this is a Europe that people are feeling increasingly estranged from and that it is in our duty that we take action,” he said. If a second country leaves, he said, “we can only blame it on ourselves.”
Mr. Cameron, who plans to resign by October, arrived for what was almost certainly his final meeting at the European Council, telling reporters: “I’ll be explaining that Britain will be leaving the European Union, but I want that process to be as constructive as possible, and I hope the outcome can be as constructive as possible.”
Mr. Cameron was scheduled to dine with his counterparts Tuesday evening to discuss the aftershocks of the referendum, but will then return to London — leaving the other leaders to spend Wednesday reflecting on the bloc’s future.
At a special meeting of the European Parliament on Tuesday, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body, denounced the nature of the debate in Britain, where he has often been a punching bag for the tabloids.At a special meeting of the European Parliament on Tuesday, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body, denounced the nature of the debate in Britain, where he has often been a punching bag for the tabloids.
“I am accused of being undemocratic, as a faceless bureaucrat, as some kind of robot,” he said. “That’s the way I’m portrayed in the United Kingdom. I respect what the British people have said. But I think we’ve got to see some consequences. I don't think we should see any shadowboxing or cat-and-mouse games. We need to know — and this is pure common sense — that new relations are beginning with the United Kingdom.”“I am accused of being undemocratic, as a faceless bureaucrat, as some kind of robot,” he said. “That’s the way I’m portrayed in the United Kingdom. I respect what the British people have said. But I think we’ve got to see some consequences. I don't think we should see any shadowboxing or cat-and-mouse games. We need to know — and this is pure common sense — that new relations are beginning with the United Kingdom.”
He said there would be no “secret negotiations” with British officials, and he cautioned anti-European parties throughout the Continent against celebration. He said there would be no “secret negotiations” with British officials, urged Britain to clarify its intentions, and cautioned anti-European parties throughout the Continent against celebration.
Mr. Juncker vowed that “the European dream will continue” and insisted that “this is not the time to turn inward.”Mr. Juncker vowed that “the European dream will continue” and insisted that “this is not the time to turn inward.”
The European Parliament adopted a nonbinding resolution that asks Britain to set the clock ticking “as soon as possible” on the Article 50 process, which could lead to a withdrawal from the European Union in two years. (An earlier draft of the resolution had called on Britain to invoke the legal process “immediately.”)The European Parliament adopted a nonbinding resolution that asks Britain to set the clock ticking “as soon as possible” on the Article 50 process, which could lead to a withdrawal from the European Union in two years. (An earlier draft of the resolution had called on Britain to invoke the legal process “immediately.”)
Before the vote, anti-European lawmakers gloated over the British referendum, saying that it was a deserved comeuppance for a European Union whose leaders they have described as elite and out-of-touch.Before the vote, anti-European lawmakers gloated over the British referendum, saying that it was a deserved comeuppance for a European Union whose leaders they have described as elite and out-of-touch.
“You as a political project are in denial,” said Nigel Farage, the leader of the anti-European, anti-immigrant U.K. Independence Party and a longtime member of the European Parliament, citing the problems in the eurozone and the refugee crisis. “But the biggest problem you’ve got — and the reason, the main reason, the United Kingdom voted the way that it did — is that you have, by stealth, by deception, without ever telling the truth to the British or the rest of the peoples of Europe, you have imposed upon them a political union.”“You as a political project are in denial,” said Nigel Farage, the leader of the anti-European, anti-immigrant U.K. Independence Party and a longtime member of the European Parliament, citing the problems in the eurozone and the refugee crisis. “But the biggest problem you’ve got — and the reason, the main reason, the United Kingdom voted the way that it did — is that you have, by stealth, by deception, without ever telling the truth to the British or the rest of the peoples of Europe, you have imposed upon them a political union.”
He added personal insult to his critique. “Virtually none of you have done a proper job in your lives,” he said, as the groans and jeers continued. “Or worked in business or worked in trade or indeed ever created a job.”He added personal insult to his critique. “Virtually none of you have done a proper job in your lives,” he said, as the groans and jeers continued. “Or worked in business or worked in trade or indeed ever created a job.”
“Isn’t it funny,” Mr. Farage said. “When I came here 17 years ago and said I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the European Union, you all laughed at me. Well, you’re not laughing now.”“Isn’t it funny,” Mr. Farage said. “When I came here 17 years ago and said I wanted to lead a campaign to get Britain to leave the European Union, you all laughed at me. Well, you’re not laughing now.”
On a more sober note, Mr. Farage said he would “like to see a grown-up and sensible attitude to how we negotiate a different relationship” with the European Union.On a more sober note, Mr. Farage said he would “like to see a grown-up and sensible attitude to how we negotiate a different relationship” with the European Union.
He said there were strong reasons for the European Union to maintain ties to Britain after it leaves the bloc. “Between your countries and my country, we do an enormous amount of business in goods and services,” he told the European Parliament. “That trade is mutually beneficial to both us. That trade matters. If you were to decide to cut off your noses to spite your faces and to reject any idea of a sensible trade deal, the consequences would be far worse for you than it would be for us.”He said there were strong reasons for the European Union to maintain ties to Britain after it leaves the bloc. “Between your countries and my country, we do an enormous amount of business in goods and services,” he told the European Parliament. “That trade is mutually beneficial to both us. That trade matters. If you were to decide to cut off your noses to spite your faces and to reject any idea of a sensible trade deal, the consequences would be far worse for you than it would be for us.”
As the chamber filled with murmurs of disapproval, Mr. Farage continued, “Even no deal is better for the United Kingdom than the current, rotten deal that we’ve got.”As the chamber filled with murmurs of disapproval, Mr. Farage continued, “Even no deal is better for the United Kingdom than the current, rotten deal that we’ve got.”
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing National Front in France and also a member of the European Parliament, joined Mr. Farage in deriding the bloc.Marine Le Pen, the leader of the right-wing National Front in France and also a member of the European Parliament, joined Mr. Farage in deriding the bloc.
“The vote by our British friends in favor of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union is by far the most important historic event that our continent has witnessed since the fall of the Berlin Wall,” she said. “To those who never ceased to proclaim that the European Union was irreversible, the British people have provided a biting refutation. It is a resounding victory for democracy; it is a slap to the supporters of a European system that is increasingly based on fear, blackmail, and lies.”“The vote by our British friends in favor of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union is by far the most important historic event that our continent has witnessed since the fall of the Berlin Wall,” she said. “To those who never ceased to proclaim that the European Union was irreversible, the British people have provided a biting refutation. It is a resounding victory for democracy; it is a slap to the supporters of a European system that is increasingly based on fear, blackmail, and lies.”
She added: “The British people have just committed the ultimate sacrilege. They have shattered the chains that bound them to the European Union. To the European Union propagandists who are supposedly on the left, in the center or on the right, go ahead, put away your sulking faces, put away your furious speeches and rejoice instead for the liberation of the people.”She added: “The British people have just committed the ultimate sacrilege. They have shattered the chains that bound them to the European Union. To the European Union propagandists who are supposedly on the left, in the center or on the right, go ahead, put away your sulking faces, put away your furious speeches and rejoice instead for the liberation of the people.”
Though Mr. Farage and Ms. Le Pen got the most attention, a Scottish member of the European Parliament, Alyn Smith, received a standing ovation when he gave an impassioned speech noting that a majority of Scots voted to stay in the European Union.Though Mr. Farage and Ms. Le Pen got the most attention, a Scottish member of the European Parliament, Alyn Smith, received a standing ovation when he gave an impassioned speech noting that a majority of Scots voted to stay in the European Union.
“We will need cool heads and warm hearts, but please remember this: Scotland did not let you down,” Mr. Smith said, his voice rising. “Do not let Scotland down now.”“We will need cool heads and warm hearts, but please remember this: Scotland did not let you down,” Mr. Smith said, his voice rising. “Do not let Scotland down now.”
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, planned to head to Brussels on Wednesday to explore options for keeping Scotland in the European Union, and on Tuesday asked the Scottish Parliament, meeting in Edinburgh, to endorse her negotiations.Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, planned to head to Brussels on Wednesday to explore options for keeping Scotland in the European Union, and on Tuesday asked the Scottish Parliament, meeting in Edinburgh, to endorse her negotiations.
“I want to be clear to Parliament that while I believe independence is the best option for Scotland — I don’t think that will come as a surprise to anyone — it is not my starting point in these discussions,” she said. “My starting point is to protect Scotland’s interests, to protect Scotland’s relationship with the E.U.”“I want to be clear to Parliament that while I believe independence is the best option for Scotland — I don’t think that will come as a surprise to anyone — it is not my starting point in these discussions,” she said. “My starting point is to protect Scotland’s interests, to protect Scotland’s relationship with the E.U.”
For all the speeches, the legal process is in limbo for now. Mr. Cameron has refused to invoke Article 50, the formal mechanism for leaving the European Union, saying the specifics of when and how to do so should be left to his successor. His governing Conservative Party is about to embark on a fierce leadership contest that is supposed to yield a new party leader — and a new prime minister — by Sept. 2.For all the speeches, the legal process is in limbo for now. Mr. Cameron has refused to invoke Article 50, the formal mechanism for leaving the European Union, saying the specifics of when and how to do so should be left to his successor. His governing Conservative Party is about to embark on a fierce leadership contest that is supposed to yield a new party leader — and a new prime minister — by Sept. 2.
The opposition Labour Party is also in disarray, with lawmakers planning a no-confidence vote in their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Cameron and Mr. Corbyn both supported remaining in the European Union, but Labour lawmakers say that Mr. Corbyn did not do nearly enough to make the case for staying. The opposition Labour Party was also in disarray, with lawmakers adopting a no-confidence vote in their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Cameron and Mr. Corbyn both supported remaining in the European Union, but Labour lawmakers said that Mr. Corbyn did not do nearly enough to make the case for staying. Mr. Corbyn has refused to step down from the helm of the Labour Party, and no clear replacement has emerged.