His horizon does not just stretch to 29 March 2019, the current date of Brexit, but to 23 May, the date of the next European parliament elections. It is May’s misfortune that the two targets interconnect, making the task of a Brexit agreement favourable to Britain that much harder. Brexit cannot be ringfenced from what else is happening in Europe. A Europe that protects will be the dominant theme of the liberal progressive campaign for the May elections. The French initiative has been created in part with Brexit in mind, ensuring cooperation between the two nations with the greatest military culture in Europe.

Source: The Guardian September 21, 2018 11:15 UTC