The EU now sees this as a serious possibility and is focusing almost all of its work on how to contain the consequences, EU officials said. Merkel’s intervention comes as relations between the U.K. and EU hit an all-time low after Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal was defeated in Parliament at the third attempt on Friday. EU officials say they can do no more to help the British government. At an EU summit 10 days ago, Merkel admonished Varadkar for Ireland’s lack of a plan, officials said. After trying to remain above the Brexit fray since negotiations between the U.K. and EU began almost two years ago, Merkel is becoming much more active, as the threat of no-deal looms.

Source: National Post March 31, 2019 16:41 UTC