European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday said the European Union was determined to keep its unity with its 27 existing members, soon after Britain voted to exit the EU. Tusk added that the countries will meet next week to discuss its future without the United Kingdom. Britain on Thursday voted in a referendum to decide whether it would remain with the EU or leave. It voted to exit, with the 'Leave' camp garnering 51.9% of the votes.
Leaders across the world on Friday reacted to Britain’s vote to leave the European Union. The divisive ballot in the United Kingdom polarised voters and has earned equally divided reactions. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Twitter said, “The early morning news from #GreatBritain is truly sobering. It looks like a sad day for Europe and the United Kingdom.” Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel also called it “a bad day for Europe”. Others, including Marine le Pen, the leader of the Front National in France, celebrated the news.
The referendum results also led to leaders calling for their own referendums. While Irish separatists demanded for a vote to seek reunification with Ireland, French leaders said they want their own EU referendum. Marine le Pen brought up a similar referendum, as did Marion Marechal Le Pen, a French far-right politician.
Meanwhile, Scotland (which had its own referendum on whether to remain with or leave the United Kingdom, in which it chose to stay) has said it sees a future as part of the EU. Polling results showed Scotland voted to remain with the EU. “We await the final UK-wide result, but Scotland has spoken – and spoken decisively,” Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.
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