‘Naive and irresponsible’ German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier rips into Brexit
THE German president has ripped into Brexit branding it “irresponsible” as Europhiles gave him a standing ovation.
'It's irresponsible!': German president BLASTS Brexit
Frank-Walter Steinmeier was addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg for the first time as German president.
Praising the crumbling bloc he attacked populism and vowed Germany will stand up for Europe branding the EU a “precious legacy we should not let go, we must improve it”.
The German president was quick to criticise Brexit in his opening remarks just hours after his colleague German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel today cast doubt on a future EU-UK trade deal.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier was applauded for his anti-Brexit speech in Strasbourg
Take back control is a strong slogan we hear everywhere. Nationalists will be unable to deliver it
Mr Steinmeir said: “I am delighted to be here today but my joy is not unclouded. It is a bitter thing to address this plenary for the first time just after a member state has begun its withdrawal from the EU and I know tomorrow you will be adopting your position on this in this Parliament.
“I find this a bitter thing, not just as a politician but as a citizen of Europe.”
Taking aim at Britain’s historic decision to leave the EU, Mr Steinmeier said: “Take back control is a strong slogan we hear everywhere. Nationalists will be unable to deliver it…We are not losing sovereignty in Europe we are gaining strength through it.”
Frank-Walter Steinmeier championed the EU
Mr Steinmeir attacked populism and vowed Germany will stand up for Europe
He added: “Populists paint the world black and white and turn fears into political capital.”
With Brexit underway after Theresa May triggered Article 50 last week, Mr Steinmeier went on the offensive.
Mr Steinmeier said: “It is naive and irresponsible to lead people to believe that terror or climate change can be warded off with walls or barriers.
"Like many people over the last few weeks I admit: Yes, I want Europe!" German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in #EPlenary pic.twitter.com/0nJ6Qx08tX
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) April 4, 2017
“It is irresponsible to lead people to believe that in a world that is becoming more complex that the answers are becoming more simple.
“It is irresponsible to say that in this world, a European country alone and without the EU can make its voice heard or its economic interests.”
The 61-year-old sought to position Germany as a voice of European hope as Europhiles gave him a standing ovation.
German President Steinmeier says they must fight for democracy
He said: “In times when centrifugal forces are on rise and prevailing forces of doom I hope to stand up for Europe. I want Europe and as federal president I can say the overall majority of Germans want Europe.
“They don’t want to go back to an uneven path they want to walk a common path towards a better European future.”
The vocal critic of Donald Trump said the US president’s claims Europe is simply a vehicle for Germany’s ambitions is a “misunderstanding”.
He said: I would say it is a misunderstanding. Europe’s strength cannot be found on leadership of some but on the responsibility of all.
“Germany as the biggest and most populous state bears a responsibility but there are limits to what we can do. …We feel strong Europe not just in our own interest but part and parcel of our identity. We want to keep the EU together and be part of building its shared future.
“Above and beyond reasons of state there is something different and perhaps more important. For many Germans, Europe is now an affair of the heart.”