Posted on 04/20/2017 8:06:01 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Britain has long misread the German attitude to Brexit, with many Tories wrongly assuming that Angela Merkel’s government will be driven by economic self-interest to ensure Britain gets a good deal.
The reality is that the German view is strikingly hardline and Theresa May’s decision to call a snap election in June will not change that.
In Berlin there is some optimism that a larger parliamentary majority will make May an easier negotiating partner to deal with. She will of course be better placed to resist pressure from opposition parties and the House of Lords for a softer Brexit but also to face down the Eurosceptic right of the Tory party who could try to veto any compromise she might do with the EU in order to strike a deal. At the same time, however, excessive anti-EU rhetoric during the coming election campaign could erode some of the goodwill that Britain will need from other European governments to secure a half-decent deal.
It is true that many Germans regret the departure of a country that is committed to free trade and free markets, and opposed to the economic interventionism of France, Italy and others. Britain, like Germany, is also a net contributor to the EU budget. They fear that Brexit will weaken the EU’s foreign and defence policy. And some worry that Brexit will make Germany even more dominant within the union, thus fuelling resentment towards Berlin from other member states.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Why does Britain need a “deal” to leave the EU. They should just stop paying anything to the EU and stop following the stupid regulations. Tell the EU that any interference will be an act of war that will draw an immediate response.
Merkel = Lincoln?
> Why does Britain need a “deal” to leave the EU. <
I suppose the EU leaders could impose some sort of economic blockade on Britain, in the form of very high tariffs. It would be sort of like Napoleon’s old Continental System.
Merkel would, of course, be playing the part of Napoleon here.
Who wouldn't want off a sinking ship though? Losing the world's fifth/sixth-largest economy, while adding dirt poor eastern European nations. Doesn't sound like a recipe for success, especially if you're a German or French taxpayer.
And we all know what happened to Mr. Bonaparte.
Out is out.
What are they gonna do, invade?
Maybe they see their one world government hopes going down the drain.
Yes, framing this in terms of “Germany allowing Britain .... “ is just preposterous.
I have a solution for Germany.
Form a new “strictly free trade union” with the United Kingdom, leaving off all other political interventions inserted into the EU. That also means abandoning the Schengen agreement as well as other side agreements the EU states made. Everyone can keep the “you don’t need a visa” rule, on a nation by nations basis, but no one needs to give that rule to ANY citizens of any nation, just because they have landed in a nation with whom that rule applies. That means “open borders” only with respect to citizens of nations with whom that rule applies - all others need a visa. Yes, that puts the whole refugee situation up to each nation, not an “EU” rule dictated to all.
France can then decide to join weak southern Europe, or ask Germany and the U.K. to join theirs.
Meanwhile, NATO as before the EU, can remain NATO.
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