A ‘weak’ UK negotiating partner ‘bad’ for Brexit talks

May had called the snap election in an attempt to extend her majority and strengthen her position in Brexit negotiations.

On the day that Article 50 was invoked to start the process of Brexit from the European Union, protesters gather in Westminster to show their displeasure that Britain will be leaving the EU, on March 29th 2017 in London, England, United Kingdom. Carrying the flag of Europe and wearing politicians masks, the protest centred around the Houses of Parliament. (photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

A weak British negotiating partner would further complicate talks on the country’s exit from the European Union, a top EU official warned Friday after Britain’s election ended in a hung parliament.

“We need a government that is capable of action, which can negotiate Britain’s exit… the British need to negotiate their exit but with a weak negotiating partner, there is a danger that the talks are bad for both parties,” EU budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger told German radio.

British Prime Minister Theresa May had called the snap election in an attempt to extend her majority and strengthen her position in Brexit negotiations, but her gamble backfired spectacularly after she failed to win enough seats to form a Conservative government.

Oettinger said the EU “stands ready” for Brexit talks, “but the next few hours or days will indicate if the other negotiating party can even begin talks because without a government, there can be no negotiations.”

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