On the morning of March 10th, Prof. Ludger Kuhnhardt of the Center for European Integration Studies of the Bonn University visited the SIES again and exchanged ideas and opinions on the topic of “UK’s EU Exit Referendum and the Prospect of European Integration” with XU Mingqi, DAI Bingran, CAO Ziheng, and YANG Haifeng. Prof. Kuhnhardt argued that, although the British politics is relatively matured and there are much less domestic extremist anti-EU activities in UK than on the European Continent, Camron will continue the momentum to organize a EU exit referendum so as to realize his promise made before the general election. This momentum will not only create more divisions and cracks within the Conservative Party and the domestic society of UK, but also bring more troubles to the European integration. If the UK chooses to stay within the EU after this referendum, it is possible that UK and Italy may become the new forces of leadership inside the Europe and Cameron may become a new strong leader of the Europe. On the other hand, if the UK chooses to exit the EU, Cameron will have to step down from power and the Scottish National Party may organize a new referendum for a “UK Exit” that may bring even more deep impacts on the British politics. Furthermore, the whole European integration process will fall into a dilemma within two-three years. Nevertheless, the European integration process in the long run will overcome the various discomforts and displeasures arising from the UK’s exit and proceed forward.
