Former Italian leader Mario Monti predicted Brexit would be the start of the EU’s downfall, also claiming the bloc faced a huge challenge in its survival after the election of US President Donald Trump.
But now, in a significant U-turn Mr Monti has claimed the influence of Mr Trump and Brexit on the EU has strengthened the bloc by bringing its members together.
Speaking on Sky News, the Italian revealed how he believes Brussels are now “coherent” and his prediction now haunts the UK and US, who are both weaker after their historic votes.
Mr Monti said: “I must say I was very pessimistic indeed, but having seen over a number of leaders already, the power of many had succumb when it came to European Councils.
“They go to Brussels, they take part in EU decisions but really with the mind that almost exclusively on their own short term political fortunes back home.
“Unfortunately Prime Minister Cameron has been there to the maximum degree with his decision to call the referendum, basically now everybody agrees in order to safeguard and strengthen his personal political position within the Conservative Party.
“Now the disruption that has occurred since the British political system and the high degree of uncertainty concerning business and banks has given to the rest of the European countries a perception it is not a good idea to leave.
“In fact, since then because of the Brexit factor in the first place and also because of the Trump election I see a Europe which is still has many, many problems but is more coherent, more united.”
Mr Monti pointed toward the election of Emannuel Macron in France as proof that the Eurosceptic movement across the globe had been dealt a blow by Brexit and Mr Trump.
He said Mr Macron had overcome anti-Brussels candidate Marine Le Pen by “pleading for European integration”.
The Italian also predicted the German election on September 24 to go a similar way with Angela Merkel or an equally pro-Brussels candidate outperforming the Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) movement.
Mr Monti concluded: “I am now more confident about the ability of the EU to proceed and not to disintegrate.
“If anything, I’m afraid, President Trump involuntarily is perhaps disintegrating a bit the US, where as he had set out to undermine the European Union – and he said that rather explicitly when he was elected.”