Despite an overwhelming belief that a Brexit vote would not impact negatively on the EU economy, a sizable majority of Germans want the UK to remain inside the European Union. Thirty-nine percent of those polled thought things would get worse if the UK voted to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum on June 23rd.
Whether this sort of polling will benefit the Remain side however, is difficult to say, given that German influence over UK matters is one of the major bones of contention for those who advocate a split from the EU. A spokesman for the UK Independence Party — which supports a Leave vote — told Sputnik:
"Whilst it is rather charming that the majority of German's would like the UK to stay in the EU, one wonders why. Could it be that post Brexit, Germany will have to pick up an even bigger tab for subsidizing the failings of the EU economic system?"
Unsurprisingly, supporters of a Remain vote have welcomed this show of solidarity from the German people, although many have been quick to point out that the decision should not necessarily be swayed by those outside of the UK. A spokesperson for the — Remain supporting — Green Party told Sputnik:
"Ultimately this is a decision for people who live in the UK, but it's not surprising that other European countries will be watching the result closely. The Green Party is campaigning hard for a Remain vote because we know that we can achieve so much more, especially in tackling climate change, when we work collectively with our European partners."
UK citizens go to the polls on June 23 in a referendum on the country's EU membership.
