“The vote shows the deep crisis of the EU. Her charisma is long since gone. EU-politics during the last years have been reduced to turning the EU into a neoliberal, militarised and undemocratic venture – a policy for which Germany bears an essential responsibility,” Wolfgang Gehrcke said.
“On one hand the referendum in Great Britain is an answer to this policy. On the other hand it is a break which offers a historical chance: to give the people in Europe back their voice,” Gehrcke said.
After the United Kingdom voted for Brexit, the European Union should prove its capability to carry out reforms, Gehrcke said.
“The EU now has to prove she’s capable of reform. There must be social standards, anti-racism, anti-militarism and more democratic for its citizens. Yes, I am convinced that the EU Commission must change its politics – but, looking at their first reactions to the British vote, I am not sure, that she is ready to do so,” Wolfgang Gehrcke said.
Gehrcke noted that the Thursday vote would be used to kick start the new European project based on the principles of justice and democracy.
“DIE LINKE stands for a Europe characterised by social justice, peace, democracy and hope. She stands for a Europe which is the peoples’ Europe and not the corporations’ one. I do hope, that today’s vote will utilized as a chance for a new start of the European Union along these lines,” he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she regretted the British decision and announced that she would address the Bundestag about further German steps with regard to Brexit on June 28.
