Brexit: "Europe is breaking apart"says Iceland's Pirate Party Captain

Birgitta Jónsdóttir

Birgitta Jónsdóttir Eggert Jóhannesson

"No matter how people feel about the European Union, this is of great concern," says Birgitta Jónsdóttir, leader of the Pirate Party in Iceland on last night's Brexit vote. 

"I have myself been critical about how much authority and power is in Brussels now and this result will hopefully make some changes there," she says to mbl.is adding that she feels people are very frightened by the result. "There are times of great uncertainty ahead and Europe is breaking apart. I don't think that's a good thing in these times, those calling for Europe to break apart are extremists, both in France and the Netherlands. It has now also become clear that Northern Ireland and Scotland want to remain in the EU." She added that she's fearful of the rise of extremism in Europe, "at a time when people should stick together," and mentions the murder of British MP Jo Cox. "It's hurtful for the people of Britain, whichever way they voted, that such a rift has come up within the nation."

Asked whether she thinks the vote will have an influence on Iceland she points out that thousands of British tourists come to Iceland every year, something which might be affected. Jónsdóttir feels that the Leave vote is negative in the larges scale of things. "Noone wants to go back to the situation that reigned before the time of the EU." 

Pirate Party in Iceland is back at the top of the polls as the largest political party in Iceland. Elections are scheduled for this coming autumn. 

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