Xenophobia may have won, yet the people in the United Kingdom have decided. They voted to preserve the independence of the U.K. They dream of a U.K that is independent and free to enter into trade agreements with hundreds of countries around the world, without the inhibitions of being a member of the EU.
In any case, the decision by British voters to exit is a big blow both to themselves and the European Union. Leaders of Europe (except Russia’s Putin) woke up this morning to the jolt after going to bed optimistic that the Remain Campaign will win the referendum.
The vote to leave, apart from sending shocks across Europe, may now trigger the eventual collapse of the European Union. This fear might be distant but certainly, the victory of the Leave Campaign will certainly give impetus to other EU countries with demands for similar referendum. They include Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, France, Greece and the Netherlands.
Sweden
Sweden sees itself as the Scandinavian equivalent of Britain. For example it shunned the euro as a currency. And in terms of E.U. politics, Britain and Sweden tag along 90 percent on all issues.
Therefore the Brexit would cause worries in Sweden. It accepted hundreds of thousands of refugees last year but has struggled to integrate some of them.
Denmark
Denmark held a referendum last December, in which they decided against ceding more powers to the E.U. Like in Sweden’s case, many Danes fear that more immigration or influx of refugees could threaten the small nation’s welfare system.
Also, for long, Denmark has relied on Britain as a strong ally in negotiations with the E.U. – both countries have had similar policies.
“Without Britain, Denmark won’t have the locomotive to tow Danish interests,” political scientist Marlene Wind of the University of Copenhagen was quoted as saying by Bloomberg News.
Hungary
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban does not hide his disdain for the E.U. Last May, European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker greeted him, saying, “Hello, dictator,” while TV cameras were on.
Orban is planning to hold a referendum in Hungary that could tear E.U. cohesion. After last year’s influx of refugees into Hungary, the citizens will be asked to decide whether the E.U. should be allowed to resettle refugees despite a lack of consent by national parliaments affected by the decision. It might not be a referendum where the people would be asked to vote for in or out, but one that will somehow question Brussel’s authority.
The Netherlands
Geert Wilders, head of a right-wing populist party, supported a Brexit and hopes for a similar vote to take place in the Netherlands. “If we want to survive as a nation, we have to stop immigration and stop Islamization,” Wilders told the BBC in an interview.
“We cannot do that inside the European Union,” said Wilders — who is currently ahead in the country’s polls. he has already called for the same referendum in the Netherlands.
France
The French are probably the biggest E.U. skeptics. 61 percent have an unfavorable view of the EU.
However, apart from Germany, France is continental Europe’s driving force. Nevertheless the nation also faces a horde of problems, including a weak economy and high terrorism threat. Some of the origins of these have been blamed on the EU or conditions created by its member states.
Besides, many French watched with disbelief when Merkel opened Germany’s borders to Syrian refugees in 2015.
This might be exploited by the right-wing National Front party, which is expected to gain more political power in upcoming elections. The party’s leader, Marine Le Pen, supported Brexit . It is an indication of what could be next for France should her party come to power.
She has as well called for an EU referendum.
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