EU won't be here for long! Economist says bloc will CRUMBLE as members turn on each other
BREXIT gives the United Kingdom the opportunity to escape the European Union crumbling under the weight of internal "frictions", economist Andrea Hossó said.
Ms Hossó predicted tensions within the European Union will "pull the Union apart" in less than 50 years.
She said: "I think that, actually, it’s not a bad moment to leave the European Union for the very reason that the EU – we’re talking about a 50 years horizon – I’m not sure the European Union as a union will be around in 50 years time.
"Quite frankly, and this is not wishful thinking, if you analyse the situation there are so many frictions, tensions, pulling the Union apart – both economic and political."
GETTY/SKY NEWS
Speaking to Sky News, Ms Hossó said Brexit was not a break from Europe but simply an opportunity to end a "treaty that doesn't suit" British needs.
She also said that leaving the European Union would not affect the UK's standing on the "world's stage" because of its "long-standing, historical" ties with commercial partners outside of the EU.
The economist continued: "Leaving the European Union doesn’t mean turning our backs or leaving Europe.
"The European Union is a treaty and if a treaty doesn’t suit a country, the country is doing well leaving it and seeking her own way.
"I think Britain has every opportunity to keep her important place on the world’s stage. Britain is a major power – militarily, economically, culturally. Britain has a huge network and long-standing, historical ties to a lot of countries in the world."
Several commentators claimed the European Union would soon begin to struggle due to a growing sense of doubt surrounding the European project.
A recent report from the New Pact for Europe project revealed that the surge in support for nationalist parties throughout EU member states poses a "fundamental threat" that could cause the "vulnerable" to collapse.
The group warns the EU still faces a huge challenge to get citizens back on board, with upcoming elections in Italy and Sweden likely to produce big gains for eurosceptics.
In its report, it states: “Populists want to be popular. There is some convergence between different kinds of populism. But the future lies elsewhere.
But the report also says, ironically, that the bloc could be saved by Brexit which has galvanised support for the EU by demonstrating the potential costs of quitting.
