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If I ever get divorced, I would like my partner to act as Chancellor of Germany. In a video on the German government website, Angela Merkel calmly and seriously explains what Britain’s exit from the EU means for Germany.
“Brexit means a big change for all of us,” the chancellor said, staring at the camera. She continues.
“But Germany wants to remain a close partner and friend of Great Britain.”
When the result of the British referendum shook Europe in June 2016, Angela Merkel called on member states to remain calm. Do not make hasty decisions that risk dividing Europe further, the Chancellor said in one of the first remarks after the vote. And later: there is no reason to treat the British badly in the upcoming negotiations.
On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed the agreement between the UK and the EU.
Photo: NEW CHINA / SIPA / Shutterstock
But in the German media shone through the anguish of the country. “What was not allowed to happen, happened,” wrote the Rheinische Post newspaper shortly after the vote. “The nightmare of every convinced European has come true,” said the Focus newspaper.
The Welt newspaper tried to explain what went wrong in a piece of an article titled “Why the British just don’t like Europe”: In Germany, the EU defended a promise of peace and stability after two terrible world wars. But the British, whose democratic institutions survived the two wars without any EU, saw the Union differently. In addition, the UK had other relationships, for example with its former colonies, which reduced interest in joining the EU.
Several German politicians, including then-Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, demanded a quick resignation. The British would have to bear the consequences of their actions, they would probably see how well they did for themselves.
Neither does Angela Merkel He wanted the British to take what they wanted and leave the rest. But the focus must be on the future, on the relationship after Brexit, the chancellor emphasized, praised and criticized for his willingness to compromise, time and time again.
Few guessed that the future was four and a half years away. But now it is here. When the deal was finally reached, the German media diligently reported the practical details about fishing quotas and studies at British universities. Emotions, as usual, have calmed down.
Chancellor Angela Merkel says, once again, that Britain will continue to be an important partner for the EU. Any emotion is deeply buried.
Read more:
Katrine Marçal: this should be music in the ears of British Conservatives
Dan Lucas: The tug of war between the EU and the UK is not over
