The Impact of Brexit on the Benelux States

Abstract

The citizens of the United Kingdom expressed their opinion on the referendum held on June 23, 2016, whether they wanted the country to remain a member of the European Union or leaving the EU would be the future of the UK. The turnout was 72.2%, and 52% of the voters opted for the leave – this result shocked many of the citizens of the EU. During the 43 years of membership, the British have fought their battles to protect their interests, and the EU-policy of the consecutive governments has shown diverse pictures about the relationship of the country and the EU. When the British government invokes Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon (which according to Prime Minister Theresa May is going to happen by the end of March 2017), the negotiations on the withdrawal could start, and they would last for at least two years. Since the treaty does not include any specific conditions for leaving the organisation, difficult rounds of talk are forecasted.