Merkel Warns Britain Against ‘Illusions’ About Post-‘Brexit’ Ties<br />By ALISON SMALEAPRIL 27, 2017<br />BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany warned Britain on Thursday not to harbor "illusions"<br />that it can negotiate a deal on future relations with the European Union while simultaneously negotiating its departure from the bloc.<br />She did not mention the May 7 presidential runoff election in France, though she and other European leaders have made clear<br />that they back the independent centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron, a pro-European Union former banker and economy minister, over the far-right populist and nationalist politician Marine Le Pen, who has threatened to try to pull France out of the European Union and the euro currency.<br />In reality, however, talks between Britain and Europe might not become seriously detailed until Germany holds its own elections — in which Ms. Merkel<br />and her Christian Democratic Union will seek a fourth mandate from voters — in late September.<br />"That would be a waste of time." Ms. Merkel was not more specific,<br />but as a leader known for choosing her words carefully, her warning about the high costs of leaving Europe could be interpreted as a subtle message for voters in France, Britain and Germany itself.<br />European Union said that We can thus assume that the council of the 27 will send a strong signal of unity.<br />On Saturday, leaders of the 27 countries that will remain in the European Union after<br />Britain leaves are scheduled to discuss their negotiating position with Britain.
