France wants strong immediate action from European Council if UK votes Leave

Monday, June 20th 2016 - 05:34 UTC

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“You are in or out... The EU Council should give the British an ultimatum about their intentions, and France’s president will be very clear about that,” Macron said

If the British want to maintain access to the EU market and refuse to contribute to the EU budget, like Norway and Switzerland, “then that would be a total exit”

French economy minister Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday the EU should act quickly and firmly if Britain votes next week to leave the European Union. Britain’s EU referendum will be held on Thursday, with an EU summit set for a few days later on June 28 at which Macron said EU leaders should take a firm stand with regard to the UK.

“You are in or out... The European Council should give the British an ultimatum about their intentions, and France’s president will be very clear about that,” Macron said in an interview with Le Monde published Saturday.

“We cannot, in the interests of the EU, leave any ambiguity to linger and to let too much time pass,” Macron said. If Britain leaves the bloc, “the day after the exit, there will no longer be a financial passport for British establishments,” he added.

Macron said in his view if the British want to maintain access to the European market, they should contribute to the EU budget, just like non-members Norway and Switzerland.

If London refuses, “then that would be a total exit,” said the economy minister, a strong EU advocates.

Campaigning in Britain on the EU referendum was suspended Saturday for a third day following the killing of a pro-Europe lawmaker and amid calls for a less acrimonious political debate.

The WhatUKThinks average of the last six opinion polls currently shows 52% of voters in favor of “Leave” and 48% for “Remain”, excluding undecided voters.

Categories: Politics, International.

Tags: Brexit, Emmanuel Macron, European Union, France, UK referendum European Union, United Kingdom.

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brasherboot
If the UK has no ability to trade with the EU, then neither does the EU have the ability to trade with the UK.

20% of German car output is sold to the UK.
Jun 20th, 2016 - 05:45 am 0
Idlehands
This highlights what is wrong with the EU. Why does there need to be acrimony? It highlights that the EU is all about threats and demands rather than a friendly union of nations. The UK wants to leave - so what?

“He who pays the piper calls the tune” is not a concept that Europe understands. Britain is the second biggest net contributor behind Germany and yet has far less influence than that contribution represents. Every time there is something “big” coming up the French and Germans have a meeting beforehand to decide their common position and then present it to everyone else.
Jun 20th, 2016 - 07:50 am 0
Merry Englander
@1
No one is talking about “no ability to trade”. In the scenario that we “lost access” to the EU single market we would still continue to trade with them and them with us. The difference is that were would be tariffs and quotas imposed on goods and services.

I don't think the German manufacturers will be particularly worried either way. They already sell their cars in this country at a premium and there is enough badge snobbery to support higher prices for their products.

The INers are misleading to talk about “losing access” to the EU and the OUTers are naive to think the Germans will be pleading to maintain zero tariff access.

If we leave the economy is going to take a hit, the pound is going to fall, a lot of investment will stall and a lot of imported good will be more expensive. As a true patriot I am happy to take those hits in order to reclaim full sovereignty.
Jun 20th, 2016 - 08:07 am 0

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