Will Brexit Bring a Domino Effect in Europe?

• 06.23.2016, 12:52
•  Europe,  World

Today is the long-waited day of the British referendum on whether to leave the European Union or to remain its member-state. On the eve of the so-called ''Brexit'' referendum, we tried to find out if there have been any similar cases in the EU history when a country wanted or did leave the Union. And what is the current situation in EU? Are there any other potential members, who could leave EU in case of Brexit?

It is noteworthy that some former territories of the European Union members broke formal links with the EU when they gained independence or became a part of an EU non-member state. Among them is Algeria, which had been an integral part of France since 1830 and hence of the then European Community, but in 1962 it became independence from France. Greenland also chose to leave the EU predecessor but without seceding from a member state. It initially voted against joining the EEC when Denmark joined in 1973, but because Denmark as a whole voted to join, Greenland, as a part of Denmark, joined too. When home rule for Greenland began in 1979, it held a new referendum and voted to leave the EEC. After wrangling over fishing rights, the territory left the EEC in 1985 but remained subject to the EU treaties through association of Overseas Countries and Territories with the EU. This was permitted by the Greenland Treaty, a special treaty signed in 1984 to allow its withdrawal.

As for the current situation of the European Union, besides the well-known ''Brexit'', there are numerous secessionist movements within other EU member states, some of them with the explicit motivation of leaving the EU.

In some cases, the desire to leave the EU is phrased in terms of ''joining Switzerland and Norway'' which are not members of EU.

Thus, more than half of French voters want their own in-out referendum on European Union membership, renewing fears in Brussels that a Brexit could topple the 28-country bloc, The Express reports. In a fresh blow to the EU, 53 per cent of the French voted in favour of holding a UK-style referendum on the country’s membership.

Front National leader Marine Le Pen welcomed the poll results, saying French demands for a referendum were ''extremely encouraging''.

Le Pen's FN has capitalized on this widespread dissatisfaction in France, with the Paris attacks and Europe's migrant crisis fueling a rise of the far-right in France. She has long campaigned for France to leave the EU, has vowed to hold a referendum if her party wins the presidential elections in 2017.

''The French are thirsty for liberty and sovereignty. They have started a rebellion against the EU'', -the FN leader added, - ''Call me Madame Frexit!’ That name suits me more than ever.''

Czech Republic Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka in turn once warned if Britons do decide to leave the EU, a ''Czexit'' could follow.

The same kind of statements have recently been heard also in Scandinavian countries. Both Sweden, Finland and Denmark are keen on follow the British example and hold a referendum on the issue.

According to the latest YouGov Eurotrack results a majority of the population in these countries polled believe it is likely more countries will choose to leave the EU in the event of a Brexit. Swedes (69%) are the most likely to think other EU countries will follow the UK out the EU, closely followed by the Danes (66%).

The parliament of Finland in turn, just a couple of months ago debated whether the country should withdraw from the European single currency. The debate followed a citizen petition signed by more than the required 50,000 Finns. However the debate did not lead to any ''Fixit'' case, the number of signatures showed really strong public disapproval of the country's economic performance.

The consensus amongst mainstream European leaders and institutions is that a Brexit would be damaging to the UK and Europe as a whole. While anti-EU parties across Europe hope that a Brexit could breathe life into their own campaigns for independence.