The break-up of the EU: more member states expected to leave the bloc after Brexit | Politics | News

The bold prediction was made by Professor Christian Lequesne, the French scholar suggesting that “nothing” could now stop other nations from pulling a leaf out of Britain’s book. Professor Lequesne, professor of political science at Sciences Po Paris and former visiting professor at the European Institute of the London School of Economics, is a frequent critic of Britain’s decision to leave.

However, he recognized the fundamental “weakness” of the links between Member States and the EU.

Writing for Politico, Professor Lequesne said: “Brexit helps us understand that Britain is more obsessed with identity politics than liberal economics.”

Taking back control and national identity was “what really interests British Brexiteers,” he said.

Professor Lequesne added: “For the Tories who rule the UK, economic performance has now become a minor issue compared to the days of Thatcherian neoliberalism.

“The liberal talk of ‘World Britain’ seems like a big joke.”

Turning his attention to Brussels, he said: “I remember a time not so long ago when I had no difficulty convincing my students that it was impossible to leave the EU because membership creates interdependence too high policy.

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“When people are obsessed with national identity and sovereignty, commercial and trade benefits seem like very little reasons to stay in the EU.

“From this point of view, pragmatism being a structural value of British politics seems another great myth.

“Who seems more emotional and removed from rationality than a Brexiteer explaining the reasons for choosing the UK? “

Divisions within Poland were highlighted last month after Polish President Andrzej Duda said he had vetoed a controversial media bill because he shared the concerns of some Poles about freedom of expression and that signing it would strain relations with Warsaw’s main ally, the United States.

Unexpectedly in parliament this month, the legislation reportedly tightened the rules on foreign media ownership, specifically affecting the ability of news channel TVN24, owned by US media company Discovery Inc, to function.

Mr Duda said: “I think it is reasonable to generally limit the possibility of owning stocks or shares in media companies with regard to foreign capital, I agree that it should be introduced. in Poland, but for the future.

“The bill and its amendments concern entities already present on the market. There is also the issue of media pluralism, freedom of expression.

“When making my decision, I took this element seriously. “

Poland’s ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party (PiS) has long said that foreign media groups have too much power in the country and distort public debate.

Critics say the government’s actions against foreign media groups are part of an increasingly authoritarian agenda that has brought Warsaw at daggers drawn with the European Union.