Following the UK’s historic decision to leave the EU, member states convened in Brussels to begin the unprecedented decision of discussing the terms of its divorce. Follow EURACTIV’s live blog below for all the developments as they happened.
- 23 June: 51.9% of voters chose to the leave the EU. Over 30 million people turned out.
- 24 June: David Cameron announces he will resign as Prime Minister by October.
- 28-29 June: EU leaders urge Britain to trigger Brexit negotiation as soon as possible.
Summit over.
Here is the top line, and the main conclusions.
We, the Heads of State or Government of 27 Member States, as well as the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, deeply regret the outcome of the referendum in the UK but we respect the will expressed by a majority of the British people. Until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply to and within the UK, both when it comes to rights and obligations.
“The man in seat 123” (Commissioner for Health Vytenis Andriukaitis) finally breaks his silence.
For those interested what I really thought while hiding my despair yesterday https://t.co/6nwiQdcQHi pic.twitter.com/HPmJhHRDSr
— Vytenis Andriukaitis (@V_Andriukaitis) June 29, 2016
Some of the people who have been hard at work to bring you the latest updates from the ongoing summit.
Team @EURACTIV at work #EUCO pic.twitter.com/iD3PmVwcEU
— Daniela Vincenti (@VincentiDaniela) June 29, 2016
First #EUCO with 27 MS, #Brexit pic.twitter.com/jPQsUsO0JJ
— NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) June 29, 2016
EU27 starts "political reflection" on the future… to be continued in Bratislava in Sept
#EUCO draft conclusions pic.twitter.com/wx3oNTo4UV— Jennifer Rankin (@JenniferMerode) June 29, 2016
Tusk @eucopresident has rung the bell to start first informal #EU27 meeting
— Preben Aamann (@PrebenEUspox) June 29, 2016
For those who missed it, we also have an interview with one of Britain’s finest gentlemen, Nigel Farage.
Something else to watch today is Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Brussels. The Scottish First Minister will defend Scotland’s place in the European Union after Brexit. She will meet with Martin Schulz and representatives of the major political groups of European lawmakers. Experts have said one way in which Scotland could remain in the EU would be if it became independent and then applied to be a “successor state”, effectively inheriting Britain’s EU membership.
Story below by @GeorgiGotev shows how the Visegrad group is fast becoming the next headache for Juncker. In Cameron’s absence, the euro-bashing corner is now occupied by Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
So what about the Franco-German engine, you may ask? Usually, when there’s a big crisis in the EU, Paris and Berlin *always* come up with something to put the European project back on track, right?
Not this time. In fact, Hollande and Merkel have already entered the pre-electoral campaign for the 2017 elections in France and Germany. This blog post by Le Monde’s Frédéric Lemaître explains how French socialists are already plotting with SPD ministers in Merkel’s grand coalition and others in the “socialist family” across Europe to overthrow the CDU/CSU next year.
Not exactly the kind of friendly environment needed to launch big initiatives at EU level.
A foretaste of what will come out of today’s meeting at 27 is the common declaration adopted before the summit between Hollande, Merkel and Renzi. Three priorities were mentioned there: 1) Security, border controls and fight against terrorism; 2) Jobs and growth (!!), investment in digital and clean energy; 3) Youth exchanges and mobility.
Today, EU leaders will meet without Cameron in an “informal” format to discuss the “practical implications of the UK vote to leave the EU” and the EU’s future without Britain. Don’t expect much substance, however, beyond the predictable declarations of unity and “solidarity” in the face of adverse events. In EU jargon, “informal” means nothing can be decided.
Good morning. Here’s a video round up by the Council press service. Cameron quote at the end sounds like common sense: “It is impossible to have all the benefits of membership without some of the costs. That is something the next British government is going to have to think through”
Watch the highlights of the June #EUCO. More information on the outcome: https://t.co/lmCTdKI3sl #EURef #Brexithttps://t.co/21xU7cI5WW
— EU Council (@EUCouncil) June 28, 2016
1.45am Our wrap up story
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed anger over how British Prime Minister David Cameron campaigned for the UK to stay in the EU.
“Blaming Brussels day after day, starting in the morning and finishing in the evening, telling them that Brussels is under the Commission ruled by bureaucrats, technocrats and non-elected people, then you can’t be surprised by the result,” Juncker said.
“I like him as a person though he was behaving to me in a certain way – our friendship will remain, that is the only thing that will remain,” he added.
European Council President Donald Tusk attempted to dispel fears that the UK’s vote in favour of Brexit had caused economic and political upheaval.
“The negative effects are less negative than we expected before Brexit,” he said.
“Brexit means substantial variables in UK with possible negative spillover across the whole world,” he added.
Tusk also insisted that only the UK government can activate Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and formally notify EU countries that it will leave the union.
Several EU leaders, including European Parliament President Martin Schulz, have demanded the UK start negotiations to leave the EU immediately. But David Cameron said he will leave that to his successor, who will take over after he steps down at the beginning of September. Hollande and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy both said that Cameron will have to leave office by 9 September.
“If they need more time, we have to wait,” Tusk said, adding, “it’s not the best.”
French President Francois Hollande said, “We do understand that he [Cameron] cannot himself trigger the procedure of the Article 50 to open up the negotiations because he is resigning.”
Hollande also said Cameron was “moved, probably because it was his last European Council.”
The Cameron, Merkel, Tusk, Rutte, Juncker, Hollande, Rajoy press conferences are over.
Cameron was forced to deny point blank to the BBC that, in Dutch PM Mark Rutte’s words, England had collapsed “politically, monetarily, constitutionally and economically”.
Angela Merkel insisted there’s no turning back on Brexit – the UK government will have to start negotiating its exit from the EU.
Merkel: I don't see a way to turn back, we didn't discuss possibility of no Article 50 notification bc it's not possible #euco
— Catherine Stupp (@catstupp) June 28, 2016
Talks finished for tonight. Tusk, Juncker and Rutte about to give press conference
June #EUCO finished incl. #brexit discussion. Next: press conference by @eucopresident @JunckerEU @MinPres
— Preben Aamann (@PrebenEUspox) June 28, 2016
Instead of "endless theoretical debates about more Europe", Visegrad group wants EU to get back to basics #EUCO https://t.co/VSTmQeY2lG
— Jorge Valero (@europressos) June 28, 2016
BBC reports that Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has floated the idea that British students could get EU passports if they study in the EU. It’s still unclear whether Renzi meant passports or temporary visas.
“In other words, if a British student decides to spend two, three, four years in a university in Europe, we study now if it’s possible to give him a European passport – Italian, French or German. But for now, nothing is sure,” Renzi told the BBC.
Cameron's last #EUCO supper #Brexit pic.twitter.com/0oHVXuVKeZ
— Bojan Pancevski (@bopanc) June 28, 2016
Dinner is still ongoing – but the conclusions of the European Council on migration, external market, jobs and investment are out, and are here…
James Crisp grabbed four minutes with a jubilant Nigel Farage, leader of UKIP.
Asked what would be the point of UKIP after Brexit, Farage said, “After Brexit, who cares?”
Draghi: Euro area growth will be 0.3% to 0.5% lower – compared to base level – over next three years, after Brexit.
— Matthew Tempest (@MattTempest) June 28, 2016
Draghi: "aware there may be perception in world that EU becomes ungovernable" – that's why he welcomes commitment of leaders work together.
— Matthew Tempest (@MattTempest) June 28, 2016
Am hearing that the Irish will be pushing very hard for the Taoiseach to have a major role in the Brexit negotiations, considering the Northern Irish peace process, and the UK-Irish economy.
I asked Schulz – in his native German – “if, in his view, at the moment, the UK had a functioning government.”
He replied that he disagreed with many policies of the Conservative government.
I pointed out that Cameron had already resigned, “we were waiting until October or November for a new prime minister, the official opposition was in chaos, and the economy was in the shit.” (meant to say ‘plummeting’ but couldn’t remember the word in time.)
Schulz thanked me for my “beautiful formulation” in German, and added: “Ich glaube nicht, dass es angemessen ist, dass ein ganzer Kontinent warten muss, bis eine einzelne Partei ihren Parteitag abgehalten hat. Deshalb glaube ich, man kann den Tory-Parteitag auch schneller abwickeln und dann eben auch schneller zu Verhandlungen kommen.”
Basically “I don’t believe it’s appropriate for the entire continent to wait on the party conference. Thus I believe the quicker you can have the Tory conference, the quicker you can come to negotiations.”
1900 European Parliament President Martin Schulz just held a 60-minute long press conference.
EURACTIV.com managed to get in three questions (for which we were teasingly remanded in the interests of “press plurality”.)
Schulz spoke at length about his “sadness” at the vote, how the youth of the UK should not feel excluded from Europe – and that he would be meeting Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Brussels tomorrow, albeit largely in “listening” mode.
Schulz @ #EUCO : there is a feeling that fundamental debate of the EU is needed among EU 27
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz: this has changed the nature of the EU and the nature of UK. #Brexit #EUCO
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz: that the UK has lost its AAA rating shows how difficult situation is #EUCO
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz: there is an atmos of sadness. We need the UK as full member of EU and the UK needs that too but we must respect sovreign will of ppl
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz : Meps are free in mandates. Pres cant ask a rapporteur or comm chair to resign. Once art 50 triggered issue might arise. #EUCO
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz: i will welcome Nicola Sturgeon and then i will listen. #EUCO
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz on low youth turnout: i saw a lot of young people waking up next day, regardless of whether they voted they feel European #euco 1/2
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
And they shouldnt be excluded from Europe. 2/2
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz: its wrong the european spirit over. Young people give me hope. Young Brits. The referendum will drive us to improve Europe.
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
Schulz: we have understanding that the gov in london needs a few weeks to analyse implications of whats happened and work out its plan #euco
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 28, 2016
From @JamesCrisp6
Senior French official: “The taskforce to handle the talks will be Commission-led, but backed the Council.”
After no confidence vote, Corbyn says he won’t resign
UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn says he won’t resign after losing a no confidence vote from Labour MPs.
“I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60 percent of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning. Today’s vote by MPs has no constitutional legitimacy. We are a democratic party, with a clear constitution. Our people need Labour party members, trade unionists and MPs to unite behind my leadership at a critical time for our country,” Corbyn said in a statement.
Following criticism of his involvement in the Remain campaign, Labour party MPs have passed a non-binding vote of no-confidence in its leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
The 172-40 vote follows in the wake of mass resignations from the shadow cabinet.
The leader’s allies have told his detractors to trigger a formal leadership contest if they want to challenge him.
The shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused Corbyn’s critics of trying to “subvert democracy”.
From my colleague, @GeorgiGotev
Bulgaria’s Borissov blames populists, backs Juncker
Arriving on the Council doorstep, Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov blamed populism and the tabloid press for the Leave vote at the UK referendum on Europe.
He said that in “just one night”, after the news of the result broke, the UK had lost an amount 20 times bigger than its annual membership fee to the EU. He mentioned the figure of 200 billion euro being lost in the matter of a day.
Borissov said the United Kingdom has become “the disunited kingdom” and that the young Brits in Brussels wanted to stay there, and that they were not contemplating to return home.
But he hinted that a reversal of Brexit was possible, “unlike a return of England to the Euro 2016 cup”, where its team was kicked out by tiny Iceland. Politicians should make proof of composure, he said – without elaborating further.
The Bulgarian PM also said he will plead for a reasonable and non-emotional Brexit negotiation, which would not cause harm to the Bulgarian nationals already working in the UK. He said he would like the divorce talks to be fast, to avoid uncertainty, which would provide gunpowder to “new populists”.
Borissov also blamed the “double standards” in the EU which prevented Bulgaria to join the Schengen area, despite the fact that the Commission has long stated that the country had fulfilled all criteria. This attitude is now prompting some Central European countries to raise the tone and the Union to become more and more divided.
He said that at the EPP pre-summit, he warned that Bulgaria will play ball with regard to the complicated issues ahead only if it is finally admitted to Schengen.
Asked about the possibility that the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU be brought six month earlier, from the beginning of 2018, to replace the expected withdrawal of the UK from their tour of duty in the second half of 2017, Borissov said this was not a problem and Bulgaria could assume its stint no matter when.
Borissov also made it clear he preferred the Commission to be responsible for the Brexit talks, adding that the Council wasn’t as well equipped and was often disunited.
Asked if he was contacted by his colleagues from Central Europe who ask the resignation of Juncker he said he didn’t want to talk about contacts held in confidentiality, adding that he believed that the Commission and Juncker deserve support.
“But now I’m waiting for the elections in the US, because it could happen that the world will become an even more interesting place”, he said.
Sturgeon: preparing legislation in case only way for Scotland to remain in EU is by holding 2nd vote on independence https://t.co/zgpnaEsnTl
— Linda Yueh (@lindayueh) June 28, 2016
Hollande: UK exit should proceed ASAP #EUCO #France #Brexit pic.twitter.com/qajncDAYEO
— Derek Gatopoulos (@dgatopoulos) June 28, 2016
"No we will not follow the UK," says Danish PM @larsloekke on Q if Denmark will be next at #EUCO #dkpol #dkbiz #eudk
— Tore Keller (@ToreKeller) June 28, 2016
#Estonia PM @TaaviRoivas: Future talks with #UK should not be carried in the spirit of revenge #EUCO
— Nevi (@nevi_tab) June 28, 2016
"We should not wait too long – look at the turbulence on the market for a G7 country," says @MartinSchulz. #EUCO
— Nina Schick (@NinaDSchick) June 28, 2016
Just heard 'Article funfzig'
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) June 28, 2016
Merkel's here
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) June 28, 2016
London Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected calls for London to secede from the rest of Britain after a national referendum in favour of leaving the EU but said he wanted a “full seat” at any Brexit negotiations.
Khan also demanded more autonomy from central government, including on public spending, in order to “protect” the British capital’s economy.
“Remaining in the single market needs to be priority one, two and three of our negotiation with the EU. As much as I might like the idea of a London city state, I’m not seriously talking about independence today. I am not planning to install border points on the M25,” Khan told the conference in London.
I'm demanding more autonomy for London – right now. I want to protect our city's economy from the uncertainty ahead https://t.co/2tvOf4mfRI
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) June 28, 2016
Danish PM Rasmussen says wants "peaceful divorce" w/UK, but it's okay for UK to now consider what it wants, let the EU know by Sep #euco
— Henriette Jacobsen (@eu_journalist) June 28, 2016
Lithuania’s president on Brexit
#Brexit was proposed "because of ambitions of some politicians", UK "became hostage of these ambitions", says @Grybauskaite_LT #EUCO
— Cédric Simon (@Cedsimon) June 28, 2016
Sweden's Löfven says the UK should notify EU leaders it's leaving EU "as soon as possible". Will not seek to find new allies at this #euco
— Henriette Jacobsen (@eu_journalist) June 28, 2016
Luxembourg PM wants – "It's not like a Facebook status: 'It's complicated'. He added: "Marriage or divorce, but not something in between."
— Duncan Robinson (@duncanrobinson) June 28, 2016
Cameron: "while we’re leaving the EU, we mustn’t be turning our backs on Europe". I'm curious to see how this works. Moonwalking?
— Frédéric Simon (@FredSimonEU) June 28, 2016
Donald Tusk had the following to say ahead of the meeting.
“First, I want to say that while respecting the will of the UK voters, we also have to respect our treaties; and, according to them, it is the British government who initiates the process of exit from the EU. And this is the only legal way we have.
But I would like to underline very very clearly: without the notification from the UK, we will not start any negotiations on divorce process or on our future relations.
Brexit is not only about procedures, politics and interests, it is also about our emotions and feelings and I am absolutely sure that I am not alone with this kind of feelings but what has happened, happened and we have to move on also with our regular agenda.”
David Cameron’s statement ahead of the summit.
Good afternoon. I’ll be explaining that Britain will be leaving the European Union but I want that process to be as constructive as possible, and I hope the outcome can be as constructive as possible, because of course, while we’re leaving the European Union, we mustn’t be turning our backs on Europe. These countries are our neighbours, our friends, our allies, our partners and I very much hope we’ll seek the closest possible relationship in terms of trade and cooperation and security, because that is good for us and that is good for them. And that’s the spirit in which the discussions I think will be held today.
Guaranteed this’ll be stuck in your head by the time you finish reading @GeorgiGotev’s piece…
Final vote on #EuroParl #Brexit resolution. Check out the number of MEPs who voted (in yellow)… pic.twitter.com/iovaf8SB0O
— Ian Duncan MEP (@IanDuncanMEP) June 28, 2016
Martin Schulz to stir the pot by welcoming Nicola Sturgeon to Brussels tomorrow
— John Stevens (@johnestevens) June 28, 2016
Scenes from on the ground back in the UK – Manchester, where the UK vote was announced just five days ago.
Video of racism on Manchester tram: https://t.co/FSve13izRO – sure @gmpolice would appreciate any intel re alleged offenders
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) June 28, 2016
Cameron was supposed to arrive at the Commission at 12.30pm – arrived 10 minutes early, no words to the press.
#sadnessinhiseyes pic.twitter.com/KwW8BgMwZc
— John Stevens (@johnestevens) June 28, 2016
Jonathans Hill and Faull just spotted in deep conversation in Commission entrance…
— Matthew Tempest (@MattTempest) June 28, 2016
.@GuyVerhofstadt blasts Farage for "defending the little man" while having an "offshore construction"
— Sam James Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) June 28, 2016
Alyn Smith "do not let Scotland down" gets long standing ovation.
— Gyorgy Schopflin (@schopflinMEP) June 28, 2016
#Juncker said he forbid EU top officials to discuss with U.K officials. “No notification, no negotiations."
— QAriès (@QuentinAries) June 28, 2016
Farage does realise that he is winding up the very people he will need the support of in order for Brexit to actually be carried off, right?
— Sam James Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) June 28, 2016
#EURef: Says Farage lied, he fabricated reality, we have a similar sense of humour @JunckerEU
— EU Reporter (@eureporter) June 28, 2016
Nigel Farage accuses the EU of “lying” to its citizens.
The EU "as a political project" is in "denial", @Nigel_Farage tells European Parliament https://t.co/K6pbNnkHr0 https://t.co/ec0zNL9xL2
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 28, 2016
Just asked a Brexit MP where the £350m for the NHS is. "On the side of a bus" was the reply. That which is said in jest…
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) June 28, 2016
'I know none of you has ever had a proper job in your lives', Farage tells MEPs to boos. Schulz urges calm: 'Don't act like UKIP'
— Danny Kemp (@dannyctkemp) June 28, 2016
Boris Johnson is ready to sacrifice voice of 17 million Britains to become PM of UK, or rather the PM of England & Wales..
— Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) June 28, 2016
Finns party says #Finland should start ‘Fixit’ talks https://t.co/0Plf5vYEIq pic.twitter.com/XlU0TY4k42
— New Europe (@New_Europe) June 28, 2016
#Farage: when I said 17 years ago that I wanted to lead a campaign for a #Brexit, "you all laughed at me, you’re not laughing now, are you ?
— Elodie Lamer (@ElodieLamer) June 28, 2016
You're in denial that your currency is failing: @Nigel_Farage tells @Europarl_EN
— Katie Owens (@ktowens) June 28, 2016
Another interesting point is *how* to actually trigger Article 50. The standard procedure would be to send a formal letter to the EU institutions, according to the senior EU diplomat who was briefing journalists yesterday.
But an oral procedure, like a public declaration by the (acting) Prime Minister, would also work, the diplomat explained. In fact, the eventuality of such a procedure has already been examined by jurists at the European Council who confirmed it was legal validity, the diplomat explained.
Cameron should watch his mouth tonight!
This is difficult to sell in the UK politically, however. Britain needs assurances that it will retain some sort of privileged status — and access to the single market — after it leaves the EU.
Only such a promise on the EU side could appease the market turmoil that has sunk the Sterling to its lowest level in decades since last week’s Brexit referendum.
But the remaining 27 EU member states have no interest in doing this (see previous post). They have already paid dearly for single market access in the form of lost sovereignty.
“A Norwegian solution” with full access to the single market in exchange for full observance of EU rules “would be the best solution economically,” explained a senior diplomatic source yesterday. “But this would be difficult to swallow for those who campaigned exactly for the opposite” (i.e: regaining Britain’s sovereignty).
“No country can start discussions on its future status with the EU — formally or informally — until it formally notifies its intention to leave”.
Some may wonder why Germany, France — and the EU institutions more generally — were so tough in underlining this point over the past few days.
The reason was explained by a senior EU diplomat yesterday and can be summarised in one word: “contagion”. If one country is allowed to do this (i.e.: negotiate its new status while still being inside the EU), this would encourage others to seek better membership terms with a re-negotiation “à la carte”. In other words, this would start the EU’s unraveling and eventual demise.
This is what German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, meant when they said “out is out”.
As often when the EU is in crisis, attention turns to Paris and Berlin for some kind of joint initiative to relaunch (or preserve) the European project.
But disagreement between the two capitals over the way forward for the EU-27 were laid bare after Brexit. While Hollande insists on “fiscal and social harmonisation” centered around the a reformed euro zone, Angela Merkel is reluctant to take any initiative that could deepen the divide with Britain.
Besides, both Hollande and Merkel face crucial general elections in Spring next year, which doesn’t leave enough time to launch any big new project.
As expected, the mini-summit in Berlin yesterday between Hollande, Merkel and Renzi only resulted in empty promises about “new impetus” for “concrete actions”. But a senior diplomat in Brussels who knows the EU machinery as well as the Berlin-Paris axis warned reporters not to expect much concrete at this stage.
The timetable of Britain’s withdrawal of the EU will be at the centre of discussion during a dinner meeting tonight at the summit. But it’s now clear David Cameron will not activate Article 50 of the EU treaty because of the leadership vacuum left by his resignation as Prime Minister.
UK's last AAA rating gone: S&P cuts UK to AA, negative outlook
— Mike Bird (@Birdyword) June 27, 2016
An EU diplomat said on Monday (27 June) that it would be the European Council (and not the Commission) that would lead the negotiations with the UK in order to prepare the divorce. Given David Cameron’s reluctance to trigger Article 50 to begin the process, some diplomats have discussed informally cancelling Britain’s voting rights (Article 7) to force the prime minister to activate it.
David Cameron: We won’t trigger #Article50 – for now.#EUref #UKref #Brexit #BrexitOrNot pic.twitter.com/Zu97CpZ0HN
— EU birdie (@EUbirdie) June 27, 2016
Norway’s parliament voted to attach the country to the EU’s financial supervisory body on 14 June; critics called it the “biggest concession of sovereignty since the European Economic Area agreement”. As the UK and the EU embark on the next phase, this may put paid to any hopes of adopting the so-called Norwegian model.
The Norway model has been touted as an option, but Oslo gave away some of its "control" the week before the UK voted pic.twitter.com/lzktpZYrPJ
— Sam James Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) June 27, 2016
#BREAKING Poland wants second in-out 'Brexit' referendum: ruling party leader @AFP #Poland
— Nick Morrison (@nj_morrison) June 27, 2016
John Kerry asks Europe not to take "revenge" on its oldest ally. Quite, quite extraordinary pic.twitter.com/dZsTm4syfF
— Matthew Holehouse (@mattholehouse) June 27, 2016
Nominations for the Conservative leadership will close at noon on Thursday. New Prime Minister in place by 2nd September
— Kevin Hollinrake MP (@kevinhollinrake) June 27, 2016
Leading figure of Sarkozy's @lesRepublicains wants the Commission abolished in the wake of Brexit https://t.co/GGyhnM4pZQ
— Sam James Morgan (@SamJamesMorgan) June 27, 2016
#Brexit will have no effect on the EU #patent says President of @EPOorg. MS to discuss the Unified Patent Court seat (originally in London)
— Pascal Hansens (@p_hansens) June 27, 2016
After morning mtg w/opposition parties, Swedish PM Stefan Löfven says Britain should submit formal application for withdrawal ASAP. #Brexit
— Radio Sweden (@radiosweden) June 27, 2016
No negotiation for #Brexit before the article 50 is invoked says #EU Commission Spox @MargSchinas
— Efi Koutsokosta (@Efkouts) June 27, 2016
Merkel spokesperson Seibert on Brexit negotiations: "no possibility of informal talks before official notification"
— Philip Oltermann (@philipoltermann) June 27, 2016
Sec. Kerry just landed in Brussels, talks with NATO and EU, then on to London and its dystopian post Brexit hellscape
— Dave Clark (@DaveClark_AFP) June 27, 2016
Commission says Juncker wont resign."It is for those who called the referendum to reflect on the lessons learnt." @MargSchinas adds.#Brexit
— James Crisp (@JamesCrisp6) June 27, 2016
Tomorrow Tusk has bilateral talks with @SlavekSobotka @matteorenzi @RobertFico @marianorajoy @MinPres Rutte ahead of #EUCO
— Preben Aamann (@PrebenEUspox) June 27, 2016
Tusk @eucopresident in Paris and Berlin today for bilateral talks with President @fhollande and Chancellor Merkel
— Preben Aamann (@PrebenEUspox) June 27, 2016
![[Olivier Ortelpa/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/11/french_flag_language_creditolivier_ortelpa_flickr.jpeg)
If you just got back from Mars and missed the goings-on of the the last three days, be sure to catch-up via this link, before checking back in with the latest developments here.
Bratislava to host first summit on EU's future
An EU summit without the UK prime minister on 16 September in Bratislava will kick off the discussion on the future of EU following Brexit, EU leaders decided today (29 June).