EU to Brits: Make quitting quick
Some part of bloc appeal for quick departure by U.K.
BERLIN — British Prime Minister David Cameron came under intense pressure Saturday from stunned continental diplomats to begin the painful process of extracting his nation from the European Union, as political aftershocks rocked both sides of the English Channel following Britain’s historic vote to leave.
After a tumultuous Friday that saw world financial markets plummet and Cameron announce his resignation, British voters and their European peers began Saturday to digest the full and enormous consequences of the isles’ historic decision to break with the EU.
In Berlin, foreign ministers from the six original members of the EU spoke with one voice, effectively telling the British that now that they have decided to leave, there should be no delay to the exit door.
Cameron has sought a looser timetable to give his Conservative Party a chance to choose his successor, whose task it would be to fashion a withdrawal deal over the course of two years. But technically, negotiations can’t even start until Britain triggers the bloc’s Article 50 — the neverbefore-used mechanism to leave it.
Cameron has given no indication of pulling that lever fast.
But for European officials stung by the vote, patience was wearing thin.
“We start now,” French Foreign Minister JeanMarc Ayrault told reporters in Berlin. “We must be clear. The British people have decided.”
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged her fellow EU leaders to react cautiously to Britain’s vote.
“It should not take ages, but I don’t think there’s any reason to fight now, pushing for a short time period” before talks begin, she told journalists, adding that the vote is “not a reason to be in some way nasty in the negotiations.”
Merkel also underscored that even from outside the EU, “Great Britain will remain a close partner with close economic ties to us.”
At the same time, deep intrigue swirled over the future of Scotland.
Scottish voters, unlike the English or Welsh, chose Thursday to remain in the EU — and Scotland’s Cabinet met in Edinburgh to consider its next steps.
Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, confirmed that the party would begin efforts to seek a vote on independence, a move that eventually could bring another wrenching change to the U.K.
Britain could undergo even further dismantling if the Nationalists in Northern Ireland, which also voted to remain in the EU, press ahead with their calls for a vote on Irish reunification.
Britain’s leaders have sought to offer reassurances that the Thursday vote, which carried by 52 percent to 48 percent, would be dealt with in a calm, orderly fashion.
Cameron, in announcing his resignation, said he would stay through the transition to a new government but did not think he should lead Britain as it charted its new course independent of the EU, leaving that to the next prime minister, slated to be chosen by October.
However, pushing back against such a leisurely timeline were the top diplomats from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, issuing a joint statement
2.1 million seek another ballot
LONDON — Over 2.1 million people joined an online petition Saturday urging the government to hold a second referendum on Britain’s European Union membership.
A majority of 52 percent voted to leave, with a turnout of 72 percent of the 46.5 million eligible voters.
Parliament is obliged to “consider for a debate” all petitions attracting more than 100,000 signatures.
Meanwhile, more than 148,000 people signed another petition urging London Mayor Sadiq Khan to declare the city independent from Britain and join the EU.
Experts say the petitions have little chance of succeeding. Saturday that called for a start of exit talks “as soon as possible.”
Their fast meeting underscored the continental effort taking shape to prevent further disintegration of European unity in the wake of the British decision.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier echoed calls for quick talks, warning of the risks of a drawn-out quagmire.
“We understand and respect the result and understand that Great Britain now concentrates on Great Britain,” Steinmeier said. But, he added, “this process should begin as soon as possible, so that we don’t end up in a long stalemate but are able to concentrate on the future of Europe and work on it.” Tribune Newspapers contributed.