EU leaders hungry for Brexit intel
- 11 July 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
AFP/Getty Images
Whichever part of Europe I travel to at the moment, I find myself faced with political and business leaders desperate for intel on the UK, so that come the end of the interview I'm conducting, the tables are turned on me - to the tune of "Finished? OK, good. Now can you tell me anything about Brexit and the path the UK is going to take?"
Europeans are bemused, confused and hungry for information.
They listen to the prime minister, who says nothing has changed since the election, that she is carrying out the will of the British people... Yet Berlin, Brussels and Paris hear a cacophony of influential voices in and outside the Cabinet, who appear to be calling for all manner of things - hard Brexit, soft Brexit, an immigration-focused or a trade-led Brexit...
In the absence of being officially informed otherwise, the EU is framing its negotiating positions around the Article 50 letter Theresa May sent back in March, triggering the formal Brexit process and pointing to a UK departure from the European Customs Union and Single Market.
But Europeans ARE leaving wiggle room for other Brexit scenarios. The reason, they tell me: They fear Theresa May may well be a here today, gone tomorrow kind of prime minister, so they take her words and the words of her chief Brexit negotiator with a pinch of salt.
Brexit meets Alice in Wonderland
- 12 June 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
Getty Images
It feels a bit like Alice in Wonderland.
Politics in the UK turned inside out and upside down after last week's general election. Things that certainly were not going to happen (like Labour's Jeremy Corbyn doing well) did, while what was definitely expected to happen (a Tory majority for Theresa May) did not.
UK election result: What does it mean for Brexit?
- 9 June 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
EPA
So what does the UK political upheaval mean for Brexit negotiations, slated to start in 10 days' time?
And does the hung parliament indicate that a hard Brexit, a softer Brexit or a cliff-edge Brexit (where there's no deal and the UK simply "falls out" of the EU) becomes more likely?
Read full article UK election result: What does it mean for Brexit?
UK's red letter day awaited in Brussels - with Brexit talks looming
- 1 June 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
Getty Images
It's now almost a year since the UK blind-sided the EU by voting to leave the club.
Almost 12 whole calendar months.
Read full article UK's red letter day awaited in Brussels - with Brexit talks looming
How Angela Merkel is 'taking back control' - German style
- 30 May 2017
- From the section Europe
Angela Merkel is "taking back control" - to borrow the wildly successful, emotive phrase coined by those in the UK campaigning to leave the EU last year.
The German chancellor caused a storm this Sunday, particularly in the English-language press and Twittersphere, when she declared: "The era in which we could fully rely on others is over to some extent."
Read full article How Angela Merkel is 'taking back control' - German style
European angst over Trump visit
- 24 May 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
EPA
"If Potus leaves here with the idea that the EU is in some way useful, that's it. Job done."
The words of a trusted European source when I asked about EU expectations for Donald Trump's first trip to Brussels as US president.
Emmanuel Macron: What's inside the 'Big Mac'?
- 8 May 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
AFP
As far as newspaper headlines go describing Emmanuel Macron's success, Metro's "Le Big Mac" is possibly the most eye-catching.
This is a big win - a huge win - for the 39-year-old former banker and virtual political newbie who will now become France's youngest leader since Napoleon Bonaparte.
Read full article Emmanuel Macron: What's inside the 'Big Mac'?
EU and UK: Galaxies apart over Brexit?
- 1 May 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
Reuters
Welcome to the EU/UK dominated Brexit Galaxy of Spin and Counter-Spin. A crazy old place. The galactic atmosphere is such these days that the dimensions of truth are elastic; at times, distorted.
Take the arguments this weekend over whether the Downing Street dinner last Wednesday at which Theresa May hosted European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was a complete disaster or not.
French election: Why EU should not count its chickens on Macron
- 24 April 2017
- From the section Europe
Image copyright
Reuters
The relief in Brussels is palpable. It believes it is (almost) back from the brink.
A passionate Europhile, Emmanuel Macron's presidential campaign is as much blue and yellow as it is the "tricolour" of France.
Read full article French election: Why EU should not count its chickens on Macron
