MERKEL HARDENS BREXIT STANCE: Angela says UK NEEDS free movement to access single market
ANGELA Merkel has toughened her stance on Britain's access to the single market post-Brexit, claiming no exceptions can be made once the country leaves the European Union.
Merkel has said there must be no exceptions made for Britain post-Brexit
The German Chancellor's demands echo those of several countries across the continent following Theresa May's announcement on Sunday that the UK would be triggering Article 50 by the end of March 2017, signalling the formal negotiations for Britain's exit of the EU.
Mrs Merkel urged German firms to unite with EU governments when it comes to these negotiations, calling for widespread agreement that Britain cannot retain its unlimited access to the trading bloc unless it continues to allow free movement of people.
The news followed Theresa May's announcement that she plans to trigger Article 50 by March 2017
She said any exception to the EU's four freedoms, which include free movement of people, goods capital and services, would present "a systematic challenge for the entire European Union."
Adding that if any special allowances were made for Britain, it "would create an extremely difficult situation."
The German leader explained that if one country was allowed to pick and choose which principles they abide by, "you can image how all countries will put conditions on free movement with other countries."
Farage SLAMS Merkel for migrant policy
Markus Kerber said maintaining trade with the rest of the EU is more important than with the UK
The news comes following Mrs May's indication that Britain is headed for a "hard-Brexit", in which she will reportedly prioritise immigration controls over single market access - a move which has been widely interpreted by other EU countries as a "preparation for battle".
Markus Kerber, leader of Germany's biggest industry group, claimed that maintaining good relations with the rest of the EU bloc is far more important to Germany than their trade links with Britain.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4, he said: "I have read a lot of articles in the British press saying Germany would be a relatively soft negotiator because 7.5% of German exports go to Britain.
“Well, 7.5 per cent is a big number – but 92.5 per cent goes somewhere else.”
France's finance minister Michel Sapin said a hard Brexit was not in Britain's interests
Meanwhile France's finance minister Michel Sapin said that a "hard Brexit" could end badly for Britain, as the remaining EU nations seek to defend their own interests.
He said: "A battle is not in Britain's interests.
"If there is a country that has something to lose from tough negotiations with dire consequences - what's called 'hard Brexit' - it's Britain."