Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Wolfgang Schaeuble: We are Prepared for All Scenarios on Brexit Turnout | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55352437
Caption:

Cairo-British voters, twelve days from now, will have the final say on whether the Brexit will take place or not.

The thought of Britain leaving the EU started off as a small aspiration longed for by a group of politicians; However, it has become a possible reality with the voters’ indecision and the nearing date for ballot, especially with the Pound sterling GBP suffering since the referendum.

What is more is that in an interview with Der Spiegel, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble warned Friday that Britain would no longer have access to the single market like non-EU members Norway and Switzerland do, should voters opt out.

“In is in. Out is out,” he said. “I hope and believe that the British will ultimately decide against Brexit. The withdrawal of Britain would be a heavy loss for Europe.”

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that Brexit would do Britain more harm than it would the EU. Leaving the union will harm the foreign direct investment, trade activity and Gross domestic product (GDP). The OECD stated that the EU is large united entity which can afford Britain leaving.

Jose Gurria, Secretary-General of the OECD, said that British voters have been misguided by politicians. He clarified that politicians are needling around public empathy which is why their voices are far reaching, nonetheless unsound.

Gurria accused those campaigning for a UK departure from the European Union of “misleading messaging” and pursuing their own political ambitions at the expense of future generations.

According to a Financial Times poll, 45 percent chose to stay, 43 percent chose to leave while 12 percent remained undecided.

Another poll carried out by Bloomberg showed that 46 percent chose to stay, 44 percent preferred to leave. As for the undecided voters, they are 10 percent.