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Juncker lashes out at ‘stupid nationalists’

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker | Frederick Florin/AFP via Getty Images | Frederick Florin/AFP via Getty Images

Juncker lashes out at ‘stupid nationalists’

‘What I don’t like in the British debate is it seems more important to replace the prime minister than to find an agreement among themselves,’ Commission chief says.

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European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker called out “stupid nationalists” in an interview Wednesday, on the eve of the European Parliament election.

“These populist, nationalists, stupid nationalists, they are in love with their own countries,” Juncker told CNN. “They don’t like those coming from far away, I like those coming from far away … we have to act in solidarity with those who are in a worse situation than we are in.”

Speaking about Brexit, Juncker said the process has been something of a boon when it comes to support for the EU, as “the number of those in favor of the European Union is increasing because people are watching what is happening and they are seeing that leaving the European Union is not as easy as they were told.”

But Juncker, whose term in office will end after a new College of Commissioners takes over in November this year, also said that time’s up for the U.K.’s withdrawal.

“We have to stop this process because it’s harming the general atmosphere in Europe,” Juncker said. “It’s harming growth perspectives worldwide.” He later added: “I am getting fed up because we are waiting for the next extension,” referring to Britain’s repeated requests for more time to negotiate Brexit.

Juncker told CNN he didn’t think the U.K. should hold another referendum on EU membership because “the result might not be any different,” but added: “I hope they will agree among themselves, and they will leave [the EU] by the end of October … I think it’s their patriotic duty to get an agreement.”

He added: “What I don’t like in the British debate is it seems more important to replace the prime minister than to find an agreement among themselves. For the EU, meanwhile, it’s not about the identity of the next prime minister, it’s about the Withdrawal Agreement,” Juncker said.

Speaking about British Prime Minister Theresa May, whose premiership is on the brink of collapse after the dramatic resignation Wednesday night of Andrea Leadsom from her Cabinet, Juncker said: “This is a woman who knows how to do things but she is unable to succeed in doing things. I like her very much, she is a tough person.”

Asked why he thought Euroskeptics are better at firing up supporters than pro-Europeans, Juncker replied: “It’s always easier to mobilize negative forces than to mobilize positive forces.”

Juncker’s comments came on the same day as U.K. Brexit Party chief Nigel Farage blamed Remain-backers for inciting violence on the campaign trail for the EU-wide European election, which begins today and will continue until Sunday. “They’ve given the impression that those who voted for Brexit didn’t know what they voted for, we’re thick, we’re stupid, we’re ignorant, we’re racist,” Farage said. “I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve got such appalling behavior on our streets.”

Juncker also touched on his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. “He says I am his friend, so I have to say I am his friend,” Juncker noted. “And he publicly said that he loves me. Whoever made a declaration of that kind other than Donald?”

Authors:
Zoya Sheftalovich 

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