German government told: Best outcome from Brexit negotiations is no Brexit
The German government has been advised that the best outcome from Brexit negotiations will be no Brexit.
The Council of Economic Experts told Angela Merkel’s government that a UK exit from the EU would “not only mean an economic loss, but above all a bigger political mess”.
The report said: “The best outcome of the upcoming negotiations would therefore be if a Brexit could be averted.”
Read more: Merkel hits back at May with tough Brexit stance
Richard Tice, co-chair of Leave Means Leave, said:
This shows how desperate the Germans are to save the crumbling EU project.
It is delusional and shows complete contempt for the democratic will of the British people.
The PM has made it clear we are leaving the EU and the Germans need to accept this.
He added: “The sooner we leave this out-of-touch, failing, anti-democratic club, the better.”
Speaking at a conference after the publication of the report, German Chancellor Merkel said Brexit negotiations should cause as “little friction as possible for the EU”.
Her wish may not be granted, however.
The Irish prime minister today suggested UK Prime Minister Theresa May could trigger Article 50 within weeks and warned that some EU leaders could turn “vicious” in the negotiations.
Read more: Brexit will test the UK's constitutional framework to the limits
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that because May has indicated she will trigger Brexit before the end of March, it could come as soon as “December – or January or February”.
He added: “The other side of the argument may well get vicious after a while, because there are those around the European table who take a very poor view of the fact that Britain decided to leave.”