European Union leaders have been broadly united in their support for the draft deal the Prime Minister has struck with Brussels amid mounting concern Britain could tumble out of the bloc without an agreement when it officially leaves on March 29, 2019. But the German Chancellor, seen as one of the most prominent voices among EU leaders, has been particularly vocal over Britain’s Brexit negotiations this week. She warned a no-deal Brexit could be the “worst and most chaotic” scenario but was clear in her reluctance to concede more ground to London if any further Brexit negotiations are required.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Potsdam, Germany, Angela Merkel said: “We have a document on the table that Britain and the EU 27 have agreed to, so for me there is no question at the moment whether we negotiate further.
“You have to see the alternatives and then ask: is what we have a basis?”
The German Chancellor added she was happy both sides had finally agreed a deal after “long and really not easy negotiations”, but the EU’s 237 member states would still have to assess the draft before it could give its full assent. This could happen at a specially arranged summit in Brussels scheduled for November 25.
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But that has been thrown into serious doubt following a chaotic day for Theresa May, which saw her face leadership challenges, letters of no confidence and resignations from Cabinet, including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab – all furious at the proposed deal.
Mrs Merkel’s latest intervention comes after several other EU figureheads warned the deal is “the best we can do” and there is no room for further compromises.
A senior EU official responsible for Brexit negotiations echoed Mrs Merkel’s warning, and said: “On both sides we’ve exhausted our margin of manoeuvre under our respective mandates.
“As negotiators we’re happy to stand over the agreement. We think it’s the best we can do collectively.
“If someone comes with wishes for changes they have to take their responsibilities and assess what that does to the process.”
EU Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt added: “There is not a lot of room for manoeuvre to say, ‘OK, let’s start again’.”
Following the chaotic day for Mrs May yesterday, European Council President Donald Tusk described the deal struck between the two parties as “damage control” but did appear to offer some hope to the Prime Minister over a possible reversal on the terms.
She said: “It is not for me to comment on the latest developments in London.
“All I can say is that the EU is prepared for a final deal with the UK in November.
“We are also prepared for a no deal scenario, but of course we are best prepared for a no Brexit scenario.”