Angela Merkel secured her fourth term as Chancellor yesterday with a diminished share of the vote after losing support to far right part Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Now as Ms Merkel gets back to work leading the European superpower, her top aide has blasted Britain’s approach to Brexit.
Speaking after his party’s disappointing result in the German election, Merkel Chief of Staff Peter Altmaier called for “concrete proposals” from the UK.
Mr Altmaier said: “We are very much interested in reading concrete papers and proposals because, as you have perhaps realised, these Brexit negotiations are awful, a complicated mess.”
Theresa May had hoped to get talks rolling again with her Brexit pitch in Italy but has received a lukewarm response from some EU officials.
May’s speech outlined the “common interest” both parties have in striking a “workable agreement” with the UK set to be the EU’s biggest trading partner after Brexit.
The speech also made suggestions on issues such as EU citizens rights, and saw the Prime Minister promise the UK will not to leave other countries with higher bills and to pay its full contributions.
Though Mr Altmaier declined to comment on the Prime Minister speech directly, he did communicate his country’s general position on Brexit.
In a more positive statement, Merkel’s chief of staff instead Germany wants a “reasonable result for both sides” from talks.
Mr Altmaier added: “We are not only very active but we can take any decision that is required as soon as we know the British proposals and as soon as we know the positions of our European partners.”
“What we need are concrete solutions in the interest of our citizens, British citizens and European citizens as well.”
One of the issues holding up talks is Brussels’s refusal to discuss the bloc’s ongoing relationship with Britain until a Brexit divorce bill has been settled.
Mr Altmaier said: “We have to discuss money and we have to discuss the future relationship.”
He expressed interest in the Government’s proposal of a two-year transition period that would see the UK paying into the EU budget until 2021, but insisted “the details are key”.