A global sensation: how world’s media reacted
BREXIT was the biggest news story in the world yesterday as the global community came to terms with the referendum result, and what it would mean for them. The campaign in Britain had attracted many celebrities as well as politicians on both the Remain and Leave sides – including Liz Hurley who posted a nude photo of herself holding a Union Jack pillow as her contribution to the Leave campaign. Commentators in some countries saw Brexit as a worrying defensive setback, while others concentrated on the battering that the decision had sparked in the stock markets. In the US, the New York Times led with the headline, ‘Britain Stuns The World With Vote To Leave EU; Cameron Plans To Resign, And Markets Fall’. It reported that Britain’s decision to leave the EU was ‘a historic decision sure to reshape the nation’s place in the world, rattle the continent and rock political establishments throughout the West… The stunning turn of events was accompanied by a plunge in the financial markets, with the value of the pound and stock prices plummeting.’ Three thousand miles away on the US west coast, the LA Times’ headline read, ‘US Markets Drop Sharply After Brexit; Vote Increases Global Recession Risk’. It noted: ‘Major US stock indexes plunged Friday following a large-scale global selloff overnight in the wake of Britain’s vote to leave the EU.’ In India, The Times, took a broader focus. Under a headline of ‘Buoyed By Brexit, More EU Countries Talk Of Exit’, the newspaper reported: ‘Britain’s vote to leave the European Union fired up populist Eurosceptic parties across the continent on Friday, giving fresh voice to their calls to leave the bloc or its euro currency. Right-wing and anti-immigrant parties in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and France demanded referendums on membership of the union, while Italy’s 5-Star movement said it would pursue its own proposal for a vote on the euro.’
In Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald described the result as ‘A Setback For Security Of The West’. It wrote: ‘Defence and foreign affairs experts have reacted with dismay to the shock Brexit vote, warning it will lead to a more fragmented West and make the world a less secure place. Britain’s exit from the European Union will distract the country from its usually reliable role as a security player for years to come, embolden Russia and possibly diminish Washington’s “pivot” to Asia, with consequences for Australia’s region, experts have said.’
Kenya’s Daily Nation told readers: ‘Shocked EU Tells Britain To Leave Quickly… A stunned EU on Friday urged Britain to leave “as soon as possible” amid fears the devastating blow to European unity could spark a chain reaction of further referendums. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande led calls for the European Union to reform in order to survive a traumatic divorce with Britain following its vote to leave.’
In Russia, under a headline that read: ‘Brexit: The Collapse Of Europe’, Pravda noted: ‘UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced his resignation after the Britons voted to exit the EU. Without Britain, the EU will fall apart like a house of cards. Brexit has triggered a massive exodus of investors from risks to defensive assets.’
The Japan Times reported: ‘The yen soars, stocks tumble and governments scramble to make sense of what lies ahead as Britain votes to leave the EU. A count of votes cast Thursday showed a majority of British residents want a future free of EU-imposed rules, despite the potential for higher tariffs and businesses moving to Europe.
The Netherlands’ Dutch News said: ‘Britain’s narrow vote in favour of leaving the European Union means Brussels must now undergo serious reform, many Dutch politicians said. In addition, the Netherlands’ own membership of the EU is likely to be a dominant issue in next year’s election.’
Meanwhile, in Canada, the Toronto Star, summed up EU sentiment with the headline: ‘Get Out Quickly, EU Urges UK After Vote Triggers Crisis.’ ‘There is no need for haste, says “leave” campaigner Boris Johnson, but the EU is insisting on a hard exit aimed at discouraging other nations from leaving the bloc designed half a century ago to prevent World War III.’
‘EU will fall apart like a house of cards’