BREXIT: Το bras de fer με την Ευρώπη

Abstract

The British referendum result held on 23 June 2016 on EU membership, although expected, caused concern both in the country itself and in the rest of the Union. Bibliographic research depicts the feeling of splendid isolation as the dominant remnant of the British Empire in the consciousness and history of its citizens, while intense scepticism on the operation of the European project was soon expressed. Uncontrolled immigration, obedience to rules that often did not work in the economic interest of the country and the EU institution’s democratic deficit were key factors in shaping the vote. Eurosceptic attitude and need of autonomy appeared since the early years of EEC membership, as it was not the first referendum in the United Kingdom during the forty-three years of British participation. The withdrawal process was long and the negotiation was manifold. Brexit is an unprecedented event, as it is the first country who decided to withdraw. Although there was an institutional framework governing the withdrawal of a Member State from the European Union, the need to implement it had not yet risen. The UK case is quite special because of the different nations it includes. The referendum outcome indicates a strong division within the UK, with England and Wales in favor of leaving, while the majority in Scotland and Northern Ireland in favor of remaining. At the same time, the irish border’s intractable problem had long plagued the negotiating parties. The compromise agreed in order to prevent the creation of a hard border on the island of Ireland is not widely accepted in Northern Ireland. Therefore the risk of on the one hand overthrowing the peace efforts of UK and Republic of Ireland, as well as the European Union and on the other hand a possible violent conflict, or even of a secession looms.