Europe needs change. We want to improve it, not destroy it

“Europe needs change. But we want to improve it, not destroy it. And the populists should know this: we stand by Europe, today more than ever before", underlined the Chairman of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber MEP, in the debate in the European Parliament on the outcome of the referendum in the United Kingdom. "The politicians who fought for Brexit had the privilege to live in a Europe without walls and nationalism. They are now erecting new walls. We say: the young generation of the United Kingdom can continue to trust their friends in Europe."

“This was a victory for the populists and Europe is now at a crossroads. Remaining silent and not voicing a strong opinion was a mistake - also my own mistake. But we have to stand up and fight. We have to stand for the idea of a united, peaceful and tolerant Europe. But today we are talking about a better Europe, and it is not a Treaty change that comes to mind”, Manfred Weber said.

“In the upcoming negotiations, a long phase of insecurity would be poisonous for both sides. We need certainty and a fair process. We will have the interests of the 444 million EU citizens exclusively on our minds and no longer the interests of the City of London. This is the result of the referendum. The British Pound is also losing value, the United Kingdom is without a leader, and the Scottish government is preparing a second referendum on independence."

"I am proud to be Bavarian, a German citizen and a European patriot. I am proud to be European”, concluded the Chairman of the EPP Group.