Jörg Meuthen, October 9, 2019, Brexit

Jörg Meuthen

Brexit

EU Parliament, October 9, 2019,

P9 CRE-PROV(2019) 10-9 (1-071-0000)

[Jörg Meuthen is a national chairman of the Alternative für Deutschland 

and he leads the AfD’s delegation in the European Parliament where the AfD

belongs to the Identity and Democracy party.]

Frau President. Herr Commission President Jüncker. Herr Barnier.

Allow me to enlighten another aspect. I am horrified over what has been reported of the telephone call between Frau Merkel and British Prime Minister Johnson. I begin with the best of it: Merkel has indeed said that Germany could without a problem leave the EU. That was always an option, although not a good one. Yet in the view of the chancellor there were to be sure other rules for the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom, she said, could leave when it left Northern Ireland in the customs union with the EU – forever.

Frau Merkel evidently wishes, in case of a Brexit, to partition Great Britain. What arrogance of power! Thus a United Kingdom shall become a separated Kingdom. I find that inconceivable coming from Frau Merkel who herself was raised in a divided country. How could she have presumed? Or as the British say: “How dare you!” She must know what that means. Basically, Frau Merkel has said that a deal was impossible without violating Great Britain’s sovereignty. When she concerns herself with the future border between Ireland and Northern Ireland she necessarily casts a glance at the border between Norway and Sweden. That is always a possibility. Under these provisions, further negotiations as well as a further extension conforming with Article 50 can be cheerfully dispensed with.

For once finally be honest here in this house and admit that the EU institutions are relentlessly doing everything to prevent and render impossible an orderly exit by the United Kingdom. And you always do the same, politically smart thing – namely, shove the blame [den Schwarzen Peter zuzuschieben] onto the United Kingdom. Great Britain shall now draw the dividing line, and will not agree to the EU conditions for an orderly Brexit. The Earth will continue to turn, the economic damage will be less than forecast. In political terms, it will be for the British a liberation.

[Translated by Todd Martin]

Alexander Gauland, July 26, 2019, Brexit

Alexander Gauland

Brexit

AfD Kompakt, July 26, 2019

Boris Johnson has made clear that the Brexit treaty in its present form is unacceptable to the British. The EU must therefore finally jump over its shadow and do what it always promises: bring people together. It should go to the British and at least re-negotiate the rules for Northern Ireland and so make possible for Great Britain an orderly and dignified exit.

No one can have an interest in Brexit resulting in chaos, with the British leaving the EU in enmity. Great Britain is too important to Europe for that. Brussels must finally accept that a majority of the British in a referendum have declared themselves for an exit. Should the responsible EU politicians not give up their blockade and deny London new negotiations, then is formed the impression that a disorderly Brexit will be allowed so as to terrify other states from also leaving the EU.


[Translated by Todd Martin]

Alexander Gauland, March 21,2019, Brexit

Alexander Gauland

Brexit

German Bundestag, March 21,  2019, Plenarprotokoll 19/89, pp. 10484-10485

[Alexander Gauland is a national chairman of the Alternative für Deutschland as well as a chairman of the AfD delegation in the German Bundestag. He here responds to the German government’s latest statement concerning Brexit.]

Herr President. Ladies and gentlemen.

Each change in the Brexit drama need not be taken as a demonstration of London’s centuries-old statecraft to feel, for all that, high respect for a nation wrestling with a fundamental issue. England was always equally in and out, half European, half Indian, equally European power and world power. Face to face with de Gaulle, what was Churchill’s inimitably literary expression? When I must decide between you and America, between you and the high seas, I decide always for the high seas. And it would truly be an ironic twist should a rule of Parliament going back to 1604 hinder a third and perhaps this time successful vote on the deal.

May I remind this house thereof that the Brexit decision was the result of a democratic process? The majority of the British had concluded to leave the EU. Yes, that was a bare majority; yet this arrangement is today normal and historically significant decisions are often brought about by bare majorities. It was a democratic decision and thus something which until now seldom occurred in the EU. What we are presently experiencing is the attempt to perhaps yet render the undesired results of a democratic decision null and void.

Ladies and gentlemen, mockery is hardly fitting when one of our oldest and worthiest allies is writhing in political fits. It is plainly not the faulty information of the Brexit advocates which has led to this situation; it is the two souls in the breast of every Englishman which has brought about this dilemma. It would therefore be the duty of the federal government not to stand by and let the Shakespearean drama run its course, but bravely engage, Frau Chancellor –

            Carsten Schneider (SPD-Erfurt): In England?

- to again untie the package or at least provide additional clarification. It cannot be difficult to enable the British to unilaterally get out of the backstop and it is, by God, no lèse majesté for the 27 to suspend freedom of settlement during a brief transition period.

“Cherry-picking” is therefore the wrong word in regards a drama that determines the future of our continent and besides will decide whether Great Britain, which for years defended us in Berlin, will remain united in friendship with us in the future. Since the wounds on the souls of a people are as difficult to heal as material damage. We Germans can certainly sing a song of that.

Rule-based multilateralism, again put forward by you, Frau Chancellor, is a fine-sounding abstraction –

            Annalena Baerbock (Bündnis90/Grünen): That is the lesson of our history!

- which induces spiritual effort from no one and, as represented by Herr Barnier, frightens and divides rather that brings together. An appeal by the Chancellor to the negotiators to take a small step toward one another could perhaps work wonders.

Certainly one must therefore abstain from the thought which in Brussels is always borne in mind: The British are to be punished for wanting to go a way which in many capitals of the continent is held to be politically incorrect –

            Barbara Hendricks (SPD): That corresponds with nothing!

            Christian Petry (SPD): Dumb stuff!

            Franziska Brantner (Bündnis90/Grünen): That was never at all the case!

            Annalena Baerbock (Bündnis90/Grünen): Such baloney!

- and never be allowed to manage in a free way which could provoke imitation.

Yet the strength of the European Union must be herein proven: That no one is held against his will. It is un-sovereign and a sign of lack of confidence of one’s own appeal to conduct oneself during a separation as the EU presently does in regards the British. According to its ardent supporters, the European Union is no compulsory union but a voluntary pact which each people, each state at any time can dissolve when they hold it to be necessary.

            Martin Schulz (SPD): Yes, then they should do it!

It is time that the European governments prove that and give Great Britain a fair and intelligent chance, Frau Merkel. I appeal to you, make a start of it!

The impression is not to be given that the EU, other than for the sake of peace in Ireland, will hinder Great Britain from becoming a de-regulated, low wage, low tax competitor of the EU. Their quid pro quo: Should Great Britain want continued full access to the EU market, then must it continue to adhere to EU standards of taxation, employment, competition and environment -  thus, practically a membership without speaking rights. Dainty souls would call that extortion.

            (Laughter from member Martin Schulz (SPD)).

When we open up the newspapers, we always read of the economic damage that will arise for the British as a result of Brexit. We however read nothing of the damage to the EU. Since we also lose, ladies and gentlemen: Germany foremost.

Let us give the British some more time but not the feeling that they must break out of prison. For that, there must be a return to reason, free from the emotional anxieties which lead to a dirty divorce. I can only once more reiterate, Frau Merkel: Make a start of it! Since that is policy in the German interest.

I am grateful.

[Translated by Todd Martin]