France’s Macron wants new European project, and an EU-wide referendum

France’s far-right Front National party was Friday calling for a similar vote, seizing on the UK’s decision as an endorsement on its own anti-Europe and anti-immigration policies – a Frexit to follow the Brexit. “And it’s doubtless because we forgot that Europe lost its way”. One alternative, of course, would be for Northern Ireland (which voted strongly in favour of European Union membership) to unite with the Republic – but Northern Irish Protestants would still fiercely resist such a proposal, and in that context a revival of armed conflict in the province is not unthinkable.

“Brussels must hear the voice of the people, this is the biggest lesson from this decision.Europe is strong only if it can give answers to major issues such as Immigration”. This French citizen, who moved to London four years ago, does not understand the British vote.

Now that Brexit is over – what’s next for Europe? The result sent global markets into turmoil and forced Prime Minister David Cameron, who campaigned for “remain, to announce his resignation”.

Italy’s foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni also said it was a “wakeup call” for the bloc which should prompt leaders into relaunching “common policies for growth, for migration and common defense”.

“Extremists and populists pose an enormous danger”, Mr Hollande said.

“This is the thing that fueled and emotionalized the Brexit debate in an nearly unspeakable way”, Techau said, adding that the issues involved – stronger borders, better security cooperation, a common procedure for managing applications for asylum and cutting deals with the source countries – don’t require treaty changes that could trigger more referendums. “Measures have already been taken and I have confidence in their efficacy”.

“Now it’s our turn”, he tweeted, accompanied by photos of Salvini with other far-right European leaders, including Le Pen, Wilders and more. And shared values, including our commitment to democracy and pluralism and opportunity for all people in a globalized world.

“The first driver for the change in outlook is the negative impact that Moody’s believes the decision to leave the European Union will have on the UK’s growth prospects and economic strength”, it said.

Several commentators criticised Mr Hollande’s European record. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the governing Law and Justice party, said the union faced a crisis that required a new approach, perhaps even a new treaty.

Some member states may want to continue including Britain in their meetings to reach the most amicable deal possible on future relations and to minimize damage to the wider economy. President Hollande is to make a public statement later in the day. “Come on! With Angela [Merkel], say, ‘Here is the plan that France and Germany are proposing for Europe'”.

The European Council (summit) president, Donald Tusk, has warned that this process could take at least seven years. “I hope the formula of co-sovereignity – to be clear, the Spanish flag on the Rock – is much closer than before”, Spain’s acting foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said. “That’s the only right response”.

They aren’t the only ones.

Standing before a new FN poster saying “Brexit, and now France!”

If elected next year, Le Pen has declared she would become “Madame Frexit” and call a referendum on France’s European Union membership within six months.

Since taking over from her father as FN leader, Jean-Marie, in 2011, Marine Le Pen has reworked the image of the FN to make it more mainstream. In the over 65 age group, 61% voted to leave the EU. “Neither the European Union nor the euro are irreversible”.

She is the front-runner among likely candidates ahead of the vote, although polls see her losing the run-off.