Prague, Feb 23 (CTK) – Brexit would prompt similar debates in the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka (Social Democrats, CSSD) told CTK on Tuesday, adding that the possible withdrawal from the EU would return Czechs to Russia’s sphere of influence, which he does not wish.
The Britons will be deciding about staying in the EU in a June 23 referendum. The camps of supporters and opponents are rather balanced.
Prime Minister David Cameron is fighting for Britain’s staying in the EU, but some members of his government are against it.
“The consequences (of Brexit) could really be tremendous,” said Sobotka who previously warned of a wave of nationalism and separatism that could start engulfing the continent.
“Debates about leaving the EU could be expected in this country in a few years, too, if Britain left the EU,” Sobotka said.
He said the CSSD must be ready to explain to people why the country should stay in the EU and added that there are several major arguments in support of EU membership.
Sobotka mentioned an economic and security deficit and said the Czech Republic would again fall in the sphere of Russia’s influence.
“It would be an absolute negation of the developments since [the fall of the communist regime in] 1989,” Sobotka said.
He said extremist groups in the Czech Republic would take up the theme.
The possibility of leaving the EU has been spoken about by the Freedom and Direct Demoracy movement and the rightist opposition Civic Democrats (ODS) and Dawn together with the Bloc against Islam have been critical of the EU.
