Hollande called for "firmness" by the EU powers in Brexit negotiations to avoid the risk that other countries might seek to follow Britain's lead and leave the bloc. The firm response from Europe followed May's announcement that her government will trigger Brexit negotiations by the end of March, putting the country on course to leave the EU by early 2019. - Anger -May said Wednesday she wanted an exit deal that offered Britain "maximum freedom" to operate in Europe's single market while also maintaining control over immigration. The idea that Britain wants to leave the EU but keep some of its advantages is visibly angering fellow member states. "Hard" Brexit would mean quickly severing all links with EU institutions and pulling out of the single market, relying instead on World Trade Organization rules to trade overseas.

Source: Bangkok Post October 07, 2016 11:37 UTC