Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Crazy_Ivan80]

What's the German idea of 'associate partner status'?

Rumours in the City that South Korea's already offered an FTA on the same terms As the EU one.

Poland 1939-45 should give you an idea :p

[Valmy]

Poland 1939-45 should give you an idea :p

Damn. Is Merkel Hitler also?

The west has a terrible record at continually electing Hitler to every high office.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Poland 1939-45 should give you an idea :p

Damn. Is Merkel Hitler also?

The west has a terrible record at continually electing Hitler to every high office.

yeah, but you do have to commend the people doing his plastic surgery.

[OttoVonBismarck]

What's the German idea of 'associate partner status'?

Rumours in the City that South Korea's already offered an FTA on the same terms As the EU one.

German business paper Handelsblatt reports Germany wants to offer us 'associated partnership status' with other European Union countries.

This is according to an eight-page document entitled "The German strategy regarding a Brexit", where the finance ministry said it wanted "to offer constructive exit negotiations" with other EU members, and adds it expects the talks between Brussels and London to be difficult.

I think it means little at this point, other than--obviously, Germany's chief interest will always be German bottom line, not EU principles or anything like that. Remember Germany is the country that can hardly restrain itself from trade with the worst human rights abusing regimes anytime they can, and are usually one of the West's weak links in any sanctions regime.

[Zanza]

What's the German idea of 'associate partner status'?

That doesn't mean anything at all. The German government is completely unprepared for Brexit and has no idea how to handle it. Merkel is just doing her usual waffling and waiting. "Keep calm and carry on" to say it in British terms.

[Valmy]

I think it means little at this point, other than--obviously, Germany's chief interest will always be German bottom line, not EU principles or anything like that. Remember Germany is the country that can hardly restrain itself from trade with the worst human rights abusing regimes anytime they can, and are usually one of the West's weak links in any sanctions regime.

Well then maybe Spicey is right and this only means Britain is going to get an even sweeter deal than before.

[Josquius]

Apparently britain has already dropped from 5th biggest economy to 6th

[Richard Hakluyt]

In nominal terms, France is new #5, we drop to #6.

[mongers]

Apparently britain has already dropped from 5th biggest economy to 6th

Damn, I really shouldn't have decided to not go shopping today. 

[Habbaku]

Now now, lets not derail this thread. How do we call the English Statehood process? Brentry does not sound as cool as Brexit.

Decession?  Re-Union? Confederated States of the Anglosphere?

[mongers]

In nominal terms, France is new #5, we drop to #6.

"I am not a number, I am a Free man."

[Zanza]

I think it means little at this point, other than--obviously, Germany's chief interest will always be German bottom line, not EU principles or anything like that. Remember Germany is the country that can hardly restrain itself from trade with the worst human rights abusing regimes anytime they can, and are usually one of the West's weak links in any sanctions regime.

Well then maybe Spicey is right and this only means Britain is going to get an even sweeter deal than before.

The paper that Sheilbh referred to made clear that it is in Germany's strategic interest that there is not automatic access for Britain to the single market and that any agreement with Britain must be designed to disincentivize other countries from going down the same route (the paper mentions France, Austria, Netherlands, Finland and Hungary). Another strategic interest of Germany is that France and Italy don't use the crisis to further integration especially regarding shared liability for eurozone debt or regarding an EU budget. This is considered vital to not lose the other Northern members.

Other than that the paper mainly adresses stuff like Britain's current obligations to finance the EU budget, Britain's stake in the European Investment Bank etc. It also questions whether Britain can hold the rotating EU presidency next year as it would be their turn.

[Valmy]

In nominal terms, France is new #5, we drop to #6.

[Zanza]

The discussion of an Anglosphere when it seems at least possible that Scotland and/or Northern Ireland will secede from the United Kingdom is rather silly. Little England is a much more likely outcome than an Anglosphere at this point of time.

[Valmy]

The discussion of an Anglosphere when it seems at least possible that Scotland and/or Northern Ireland will secede from the United Kingdom is rather silly. Little England is a much more likely outcome than an Anglosphere at this point of time.

Natch. There is zero chance anything like this ever happens much less soon. Hell we cannot even make PR a state these days. Just joking around.