What do Europeans think of the UK’s ‘Brexit’ referendum?

[rooster59]

What do Europeans think of the UK’s ‘Brexit’ referendum?

By Alasdair Sandford

As the United Kingdom prepares to go to the polls to vote on June 23 on whether to remain in the European Union or leave, several opinion polls have suggested that Europeans are against Brexit – but that they are increasingly sceptical towards the EU.

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 70 percent of Europeans believe that a British vote to leave the EU in next week’s referendum would be bad for the European Union.

The survey finds that euroscepticism is on the rise across Europe – and that the EU is again experiencing a sharp dip in support among its largest member states.

A separate TNS survey, conducted in the UK and nine other EU member states, also found that support for Britain’s continued EU membership remained high.

Here is a selection of views on the British vote from other European countries – both inside and outside the EU – gathered by the Associated Press.

The TNS survey suggests nearly four out of five people in Germany want the UK to remain in the bloc – but half think a Brexit would not affect the EU’s economy.

Bernd Leitenberger, 48, Frankfurt:
“I’m not in support of a Brexit. I think it would be better if the UK remains in the EU.”

Andreas Sasse, 57, Potsdam:
“If the British think that it is in their favour to leave the European Union then they have to take that road.”

Despite widespread euroscepticism in Austria, surveys have found a stable majority of around 70 percent of Austrians in favour of EU membership.

Isolde Wetzer, Vienna:
“I would advise the British to stay. Otherwise all the work that has been done during the past decade – well actually for decades – will have been for nothing.”

Mojca Gaetz, Vienna:
“I think they should better stay in the EU, because I think the EU is very sensitive at the moment, it has big problems. This is also about solidarity. I think whether they stay or not plays a decisive role. In my opinion the future doesn’t look very positive. I have the feeling that the European Union is going to fall apart anyway at some point.”

Norway has often been mentioned in the UK referendum campaign as a possible future model: outside the EU, but in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Tore Vaeret, 53 year-old portfolio manager, Oslo:
“I don’t think it will make that big a difference because being the second biggest economy of Europe, the European Union will have to integrate the UK anyway.”

Thomas Svendsen, 25-year-old teacher, Oslo:
“I feel a bit sad about it. I think that Britain should stay, both for its own sake, but also for the sake of preserving the union.”

Fewer people in Italy than other nationals surveyed think a Brexit would hurt the EU – although a clear majority still agree with the suggestion. The country remains relatively pro-European, according to Pew.

Walter Simonato, Rome resident:
“It’s a choice that belongs to each population, each country, I mean we are in a democracy. However, this (Brexit) will cause troubles to everyone remaining in the European Union and that makes sense because we’ll lose a pretty important piece (of the EU).”

Antonietta Fornasiero, Rome:
“Certainly they (the Brits) are very convinced of their chances (to do well without the EU) and therefore in my opinion they will exit, but then there is the question of the economy. After all, there are a lot of countries in the rest of Europe so we will make it, while their economy could be affected a lot.”

Salvatore Feriani, Rome:
“Why do they have to be under Germany when actually their economy could be leading Europe and make them grow as a country, as a nation? My opinion is that if you are in Europe you have to be under Germany so, it is not useful being part of it. Besides, we should also exit.”

Franco Pavoncello, Professor of Political Science, President of John Cabot University, Rome:
“Italians are starting to look at this with quite some worry, they are perplexed by the possibility of Britain moving out, there is always been an affinity between Italy and Britain also in terms of European discussions and I think there is a lot of concern also for what could happen to the euro, what could happen to the future of the union if Britain were to move out.”

The Pew Research Centre survey finds that Greece has the lowest favourable opinion of the European Union, with only 27 percent of views approving of the institution.

Alexandros Tzeferakos, 58-year-old doctor, Athens:
“Yes it (the referendum) is of concern to us (Greeks). But it is foremost a European problem and an internal matter for the British which, as people are smart, they are capable and are well informed about all European affairs and I think they have not only the knowledge but also the capability to judge what was beneficial and what was not beneficial from Europe. But for the rest of us Europeans the presence of Britain (in the EU) is a strong pylon of support to European construction.”

Romania joined the EU in 2007 but its citizens gained the right to work without restrictions across the European Union in 2014.

Transitional controls were imposed by some member states on nationals of the two poorest countries in the bloc, Romania and Bulgaria, limiting their rights to work and claim benefits for the first seven years of their membership in the EU.

Toma, 66 year-old pensioner from Galati, Romania:
“I’d say this will not be a good thing. I mean this would affect all the other countries in the Union. Both financially and regarding jobs… Because there are many Romanian citizens that work in Great Britain and of course their income that would have been sent to our country would have to suffer.”

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-18

[Geoffggi]

^{Let us not forget, when all said & done it doesn't matter what the Europeans think, it is what the British people think that is important QEDS.}

[sanukjim]

The banks are dreading the economic impact that is predicted to happen if the Brexit happens.As is the rest of The EU..It will be have a big impact on the rest of the western world.

[fvw53]

if the UK leaves the European Union it will send an extremely strong signal that the bureaucratic monster needs to be reformed

[GuestHouse]

The Dutch people I have spoken with over the past two years on the matter are very much in favour of the UK holding a referendum, but they all want the result to be a renovation and reform of the EU, not the UK leaving the EU.

The Dutch, and others in Europe too, understand that the EU without the UK will boil down to a Franco/German hegemony.

[Mr Moo]

Toma, 66 year-old pensioner from Galati, Romania blows Honest Dave out of the water with this statement:

"Because there are many Romanian citizens that work in Great Britain and of course their income that would have been sent to our country would have to suffer.

Let's see the Remain people explain this one away.

Edited June 18, 2016 by Mr Moo

[dick dasterdly]

if the UK leaves the European Union it will send an extremely strong signal that the bureaucratic monster needs to be reformed

I'd like to think you are right, but suspect the overpaid MEPs/ bureaucrats etc. will be the last item on the agenda of possible change....

[shirtless]

Well put Dick, they will not put this on the table.

[Mangostin]

The point is, where people will draw a line?

Now it's the EU, next time it will be the countries and regions inside the NotSoUnited Kingdom wanting to split up from the rest, all the way up to the single individual where its soul will no longer wanting to share anything with its body....

It's not restricted to the UK, its actually a reality in many more countries than one would thinks.

So why are the people "rebelling"? Maybe because the situation became kind of unbearable to many? That's a natural consequence of not caring about other people well being, and my wild guess is that it has all been planned so the people will be much more willing into embrace a war, as it will surely not be the first time that an economic struggle ended up in a conflict, a place where the economy and peace are widespread has no interest into joining a never ending war.

Will a "Brexit" solve the problems? Nope, it's only a game played by some local puppeteer to keep everything to himself and keep exploiting the people in a local manner rather than internationally, some might say "Ohh but if the people vote for it then it must to be right!" ...well, let's remember that the people also elected a conservative party on the last elections, and for whoever its following the local news, the effect on the people its being devastating, on pair of a war, almost every single achievement that previous generations have being fighting for to get, its being slowly but inexorably disintegrated......but whom cares? As long as we can watch the footie and hate/blame foreigners for anything, that should be fine, isn't it?

[mki8]

UK needs to leave, it makes no sense staying in eu,

If you were a main partner I I company, would you b happy if you had to take on ne partners that bring less to the table, and then must also help them financially

[ronwparker]

I think as an ex-pat Brit they are right but sadly I have no vote

[Mangostin]

If the main economy of the UK was based on exports rather than imports (just check official statistics for the facts), having a weaker currency would actually do goods to the economy, as it would ends up exporting even more.

Things unfortunately will works out much differently if you are mainly importing (as it is), and the GBP it's already going nose down just on fears of an exit, if it will finally be the case, exporting companies will be booming, the rest of the country and the expat's population around the world however will have a little less reasons to be celebrating....

MangoStayIN

[sanukjim]

OK guys,Lets next try to work out on how to get Texas to leave the US.It generates more money then 60% of all the countries in the world.so that is no problem and also since a large of its citizens are of Mexican descent it could establish a "friendly" border with Mexico like the one exist between The US and Canada.Don't forget it was it's own country from 1838 until.1848.before joining the US..Defense would be no problem as they proberly have more guns there in North America outside of the US Army.It is the home of The Confederate Air Force and has it's own battleship.

[manfredtillmann]

The banks are dreading the economic impact that is predicted to happen if the Brexit happens.As is the rest of The EU..It will be have a big impact on the rest of the western world.

'The banks are dreading'... would be a valid reason for me to vote for 'exit'.

anything that's bad for the banks can only be good for the folks.

not up to me, but.

[ujayujay]

.....THEMSELVES TO BLAME

[SgtRock]

Here is what the Austrian Chancellor thinks.

The British referendum on membership of the EU could herald the “slow goodbye of the European idea” unless politicians learn their lessons from it, Austria’s new chancellor has said.

For those that think further Monetary and Political Union is a myth.

Chancellor warns that failure to clarify EU welfare system will bring about a ‘slow goodbye of the European idea’

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/18/christian-kern-austria-chancellor-eu-welfare-reforms-brexit