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What Angela Merkel did and did not say about #Brexit in the Bundestag@👇1) She did say the EU would be weakened after Brexit (but that it should seize the chance to become stronger spon.de/afyLo via @SPIEGELONLINE. /1
2) She did warn that - if #Brexit leads to a Singapore-on-Thames deregulated UK - that the EU could find itself with an economic competitor on its doorstep and that the bloc should aim to work with the U.K. after its departure /2
3)Merkel didn’t express herself as any more optimistic than before about getting a #Brexit deal. She said there’s every chance a deal will be found but EU should prepare itself for possibility of no deal.. Plus ca change as far as Merkel’s Brexit pronouncements are concerned /3
Don’t forget that EU leaders are speaking to their own domestic audiences too when they talk publicly about Brexit. Germany has a lot to lose in case of no deal. Merkel has to be seen to be open till the last minute to UK proposals and possibility of deal /4
As we’ve heard -on + off the record - EU insists Johnson gov still hasn’t come up with concrete proposals to replace the backstop. David Frost - the PM’s envoy to Brussels- is kicking ideas around with EU Commission but nothing, I’m told, that constitutes realistic proposals /5
Suspicion remains in Brussels and across EU capitals that the PM is not pursuing a new deal “in earnest”. EU view is: the PM wants to be seen by voters to be busy chasing a deal - in Dublin, Brussels, meetings with DUP etc - BUT EU doubts his sincerity. Despite this.. /6
EU insists it is not disengaged but rather it is focussing on whatever ideas UK comes up with to replace the backstop and that it will continue to do so till last moment. Frankly, considering disruption no deal could cause in EU, Brussels can’t afford to be seen not to engage /7
Both Johnson gov and EU suspect the other of insincerity as regards being open to compromises needed to agree new Brexit deal but the 2 sides continue to meet.. Might a deal result despite this? Unlikely to be the radically pared back agreement Johnson believed to favour .. /8
