GETTY German chancellor Angela Merkel

END OF THE EU? Germany warns FIVE more countries could leave Europe after Brexit

FIVE European countries may seek to follow Britain’s lead in leaving the EU in a Brexit domino effect, Germany has warned.

By JONATHAN OWEN
EXPRESS

France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Hungary could leave.Front National leader Marine Le Pen has pledged to hold a French referendum if she emerges victorious in next year’s presidential elections.While for the past two months a Nexit has been on the cards after Dutch voters overwhelmingly rejected a Ukraine-European Union treaty

Details of Berlin’s concerns were outlined in a finance ministry strategy document.

Angela Merkel’s country faces having to pay an extra £2.44billion a year to the annual EU budget once Britain has left.

Fears for the future of the EU have prompted German government officials to propose that Britain is offered “constructive exit negotiations”.

The aim is of making the UK an “associated partner country” of the EU, according to German newspaper Die Welt today.

Brexit: What happens next

After yesterday’s referendum, here is a look at what will happen immediately following the historic vote for Britain to leave the EU.

Brexit: What to expect next

AFP/GETTY IMAGES

GETTY German chancellor Angela Merkel

Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, warned that Europe needs to change its ways.“Brussels must hear the voice of the people, this is the biggest lesson from this decision,” he told public radio.“But Europe is strong only if it can give answers to major issues such as immigration that would strengthen Europe itself and not weaken it. The EU failed to give these answers.”

GETTY Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister

Another critic of the EU, the leader of Poland’s ruling party, said that the UK referendum result shows the need for reform of the EU.“The conclusion is obvious. We need a new European treaty,” said Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who heads the Law and Justice party.“We need a positive reaction, and not persistent movement in the same direction, a direction which has led to crisis,” he added.

Marine Le Pen, leader of Front National REUTERS

Marine Le Pen, leader of Front National

There is no point beating about the bush: today is a watershed for Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Tensions are rising across the EU, with Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden all facing demands for referendums over Europe.In a statement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “There is no point beating about the bush: today is a watershed for Europe, it is a watershed for the European unification process.”___
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