MEP Hans-Olaf Henkel: 'A new deal between EU and Britain is necessary'

Independent MEP and ex-president of the Federation of German Industries Hans-Olaf Henkel (pictured) has criticized the ideas presented in Strasbourg by Chancellor Angela Merkel on the future of the European Union. In view of the enormous economic upheavals expected to be caused by Brexit, it should be the goal of German European policy, according to Henkel, to offer Britain a new deal to stay in the EU. "Whether with or without a contractually agreed exit, Brexit will produce a lose-lose situation for both the UK and the EU,” Henkel is convinced.

After the debate in the European Parliament, Henkel said:  “If the Chancellor keeps things going as she has done so far, the future of Europe will be an EU without Britain. - And the loss of the global player Britain will be very painful for Germany.”

Henkel criticized the German government for poorly representing German interests and exerting too little influence on the negotiations, led mainly by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier. Henkel said: "Barnier's line was clear: other countries should be deterred from doing the same as the British did. However, all attempts to keep the British in the EU have been nipped in the bud."

According to Henkel, the German federal government should not interfere in domestic affairs of the UK, but ask the European Council and the Commission to offer Theresa May a new deal that gives Britain more ownership, especially in managing immigration. Henkel sees such a deal as viable, as many European governments have changed their views on Brexit since the British referendum.

Henkel blames Brussels and Berlin for the outcome of the Brexit referendum: "The Commission had refused to allow the UK limited domestic control over immigration. The German refugee policy of 2015 then had a decisive influence on the outcome of the referendum," said Henkel.

Share this article: