BORIS Johnson’s victory in the Tory leadership contest was met with a distinctly cool reaction from European leaders.
Michel Barnier, the European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator, did not congratulate Johnson and underlined he would work with him to ratify the existing deal which contains the backstop which Johnson wants to dump.
He tweeted: “We look forward to working constructively w/ PM @BorisJohnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement and achieve an orderly #Brexit. We are ready also to rework the agreed Declaration on a new partnership in line with #EUCO guidelines.”
We look forward to working constructively w/ PM @BorisJohnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement and achieve an orderly #Brexit. We are ready also to rework the agreed Declaration on a new partnership in line with #EUCO guidelines.
— Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) July 23, 2019
There was a very lukewarm reaction from France.
READ MORE: A United front ... winning hearts and minds in the land of Boris
READ MORE: How long must Boris be PM to NOT be the shortest-lived in No10?
READ MORE: Just 0.14% of UK voters have made Boris Johnson Prime Minister
READ MORE: Scramble for top jobs as PM unveils his ‘no deal’ Cabinet
READ MORE: Pound falls as Boris Johnson wins Tory leadership contest
An official from President Emmanuel Macron’s Elysee palace said he will speak to Johnson in the coming days, but declined to give further details of the meeting.
Nathalie Loiseau, a French MEP, warned Johnson the EU would not be changing its position over Brexit.
“As much as we all want the relations between the UK and the EU to be as close and constructive as possible, @BorisJohnson’s election doesn’t change a simple fact : we have a good deal and the EU will stand by it,” wrote Loiseau on Twitter. “The EU is not for turning,” added Loiseau.
As much as we all want the relations between the UK and the EU to be as close and constructive as possible, @BorisJohnson ´s election doesn’t change a simple fact : we have a good deal and the EU will stand by it. « The EU is not for turning. »
— Nathalie Loiseau (@NathalieLoiseau) 23 July 2019
US President Donald Trump, who had previously made his support for Johnson clear, was among the few to praise the former Foreign Secretary, saying he “would be great”.
He tweeted: “Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!”
Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 23 July 2019
There was a range of reactions from Ireland’s politicians.
Government ministers in Dublin welcomed the new PM in waiting, making it clear they were happy to work with Johnson, but insisted Brexit remained the key priority.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (pictured above with Nicola Sturgeon) posted on social media: “Congratulations to Boris Johnson on his election as party leader. Look forward to an early engagement on Brexit, Northern Ireland and bilateral relations.”
Congratulations to @borisjohnson on his election as party leader. Look forward to an early engagement on #Brexit, Northern Ireland and bilateral relations
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) 23 July 2019
His deputy and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, first retweeted Barnier’s comments before writing his own post.
“Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming leader of the UK Conservative Party – we will work constructively with him and his Govt to maintain and strengthen British/Irish relations through the challenges of Brexit,” he said.
Congratulations to @BorisJohnson on becoming leader of the UK Conservative Party - we will work constructively with him and his Govt to maintain and strengthen British/Irish relations through the challenges of #Brexit 🇬🇧🇮🇪🇪🇺
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) 23 July 2019
However, opposition figures took a different stance. People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the elevation of Johnson to Tory leader and thus Prime Minister presents a “clear and present danger to Ireland” and “brings the prospect of no deal and the imposition of a north-south border much closer”.
He called Johnson a “genuine danger” because of his “callous disregard for the impact of no deal on Ireland, his allegiance to Donald Trump, his disgraceful comments about UK soldiers’ actions on Bloody Sunday and his extreme right-wing views on just about every issue”.
Irish Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said: “With 100 days until Brexit, it is time now for all politicians in Ireland to hold our nerve and be steadfast in defending our vital interests.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel