Europe conveys its hope that UK can achieve stability
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says Liz Truss’s successor will be the fifth British leader he will deal with during his term
20 October 2022 - 17:03
byAgency Staff
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A bookmaker offers odds on the next UK Conservative leader outside the Houses of Parliament, London, October 20 2022. Picture: GETTY IMAGES/DAN KITWOOD.
Brussels — French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin voiced hope on Thursday that the next British leader would bring stability to the country, after UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned just six weeks into the job.
Privately, some EU diplomats have aired a touch of Schadenfreude about the political chaos in Britain, which exited the EU in 2020 with lingering divorce frictions.
However, speaking to reporters just before an EU summit as news of Truss’s exit broke, leaders expressed sympathy.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he had agreed on a range of issues with Truss and noted that her successor would be the fifth British leader he would deal with during his term.
Others expressed hope that the successor would prove a stable partner as Europe faces twin crises of Russias invasion of Ukraine and record-high energy price.
Macron, whom Truss had referred to as not clearly “friend or foe”, said it was important Britain found stability as soon as possible.
“We want, above all else, stability,” he told reporters as he arrived at the summit in Brussels. “On a personal level, I am always sad to see a colleague go.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin highlighted Ireland’s close economic ties with Britain and expressed hope that Britain would select a new prime minister as soon as possible.
“Stability is important during these times when a major war is under way on the continent in Europe,” he said.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Europe conveys its hope that UK can achieve stability
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says Liz Truss’s successor will be the fifth British leader he will deal with during his term
Brussels — French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin voiced hope on Thursday that the next British leader would bring stability to the country, after UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned just six weeks into the job.
Privately, some EU diplomats have aired a touch of Schadenfreude about the political chaos in Britain, which exited the EU in 2020 with lingering divorce frictions.
However, speaking to reporters just before an EU summit as news of Truss’s exit broke, leaders expressed sympathy.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he had agreed on a range of issues with Truss and noted that her successor would be the fifth British leader he would deal with during his term.
Others expressed hope that the successor would prove a stable partner as Europe faces twin crises of Russias invasion of Ukraine and record-high energy price.
Macron, whom Truss had referred to as not clearly “friend or foe”, said it was important Britain found stability as soon as possible.
“We want, above all else, stability,” he told reporters as he arrived at the summit in Brussels. “On a personal level, I am always sad to see a colleague go.”
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin highlighted Ireland’s close economic ties with Britain and expressed hope that Britain would select a new prime minister as soon as possible.
“Stability is important during these times when a major war is under way on the continent in Europe,” he said.
Reuters
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