GERMANY: HOW TO MANAGE BREXIT WHILE TRYING TO SAFEGUARD EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

Year 2018, Volume: 26 Issue: 1, 171 - 193, 01.08.2018

Rüdiger K.w. Wurzel

https://doi.org/10.29228/mjes.49

Abstract

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) has been received withdisappointment in Germany which, however, has paid comparatively little political attention to it. In addition to having to deal with Brexit, the German government has had to pay attention also to even more politically salient and pressing issues such as the Eurozone crisis and refugee crisis. Brexit is therefore a sideshow for Germany. Trade relations between Germany and the UK have been very close and are likely to continue on a high level after Brexit. There is a lot of political good will for the UK in Germany. However, protecting the Single European Market and keeping the EU together are overriding political priorities for the German government. The German government has no intention of penalising the UK for leaving the EU. However, at the same time, it will try to ensure any deal between the UK and the EU-27 does not make it attractive for other EU member states also to leave the EU. 

Keywords

Brexit, Germany, United Kingdom, European Union, Single European Market, budget, environmental policy, foreign policy, Franco-German alliance, reluctant hegemon

References

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• Wurzel, R.K.W. (2008b) The Politics of Emissions Trading in Britain and Germany (London: Anglo-German Foundation).
• Wurzel, R., Connelly, J. and Liefferink, D. (eds) (2017) The European Union in International Climate Change Politics. Still Taking a Lead? (London: Routledge).