Britain’s Exit from the EU and the Implications for Austria

In Austria a “Brexit” is still treated as a hypothetical scenario, even though the debate of a possible British exit from the EU has acquired momentum in the UK. The present IHS Standpunkt argues that Austria’s pro-Europe forces ought to coordinate their efforts with their partners in other countries, in order to prevent the unravelling of the EU. Austria has a lot to lose if Britain leaves the EU, and the losses are not only economic in nature but political as well. A potential Brexit will strengthen Euroscepticism across Europe. Austria’s political forces will find it more difficult to oppose the Eurosceptic and populist demands, and the implications will be felt in the domestic political arena as well.