London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Boris Johnson: European Union reacts as UK PM resigns

Boris Johnson: European Union reacts as UK PM resigns

Is the European Union rubbing its hands with glee at Boris Johnson's downfall? Yes, but also no.

When asked by journalists on Thursday if any extra bottles of champagne had been ordered in response to news of his resignation, an EU spokesman drily responded: "We have a very limited consumption of alcoholic beverages in the (European) Commission."

This is a presumed dig at Mr Johnson, who recently admitted there was "a problem with alcohol" in UK political circles. He was also accused of tolerating and attending boozy gatherings at Downing Street during the strict Covid-19 lockdown. It was one of the many scandals that have now resulted in him being politically forced from office.

Sneers and smirks are all over the European press. Mr Johnson is not beloved in the EU.

That's less down to the EU dislike of Brexit itself, which certainly exists. But European antipathy towards Johnson is mainly the result of his perceived handling of the UK's exit from the bloc vis-à-vis Brussels.

A polite word for how European politicians regard that would be duplicitous.

EU leaders accuse the PM of blustering his way through Brexit and failing to be honest with the British people about its true implications. Rather than negotiating and keeping his word on post-Brexit agreements with Brussels, he's viewed by EU politicians as constantly shifting and changing. More preoccupied with playing to the political gallery back home, than fulfilling international obligations or acting consistently in (what the EU assumes to be) the best interests of the UK.

The Johnson government Bill, currently making its way through the UK Parliament, to unilaterally rewrite the international post-Brexit treaty on Northern Ireland, has perturbed even the most phlegmatic of EU politicians, like the German chancellor.

While the French never shy from attacking the UK over Brexit, it's new for Berlin to be as outspokenly critical.

A week ago, Germany's foreign minister made a barely-veiled jab at Mr Johnson: "London is unilaterally breaking agreements... and it is doing so for predictable motives of its own," Annelena Baerbock said. "We in the EU cannot accept that."

'Borexit' screamed Germany's biggest tabloid, Bild, on Thursday. It also chose to write an English headline: "Bye Bye Boris".

While Denmark's leading tabloid Ekstrabladet mocked Mr Johnson's election-winning pledge to Get Brexit Done with its header: "Now he is done."

It was after Mr Johnson's involvement in Brexit negotiations, that I noticed even staunch allies of the UK, like Denmark and also the Netherlands, showing clear signs of impatience. In particular, over the post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland.

Relations with the neighbouring Irish Republic worsened as well. They became "strained and challenged" according to Irish prime minister, Taoiseach Micheál Martin. But he noted on Thursday that Mr Johnson's departure could be an opportunity for a "reset".

Also sounding optimistic, was the EU's often-lecturing former Brexit negotiator, Frenchman Michel Barnier. He tweeted on Thursday that this may be the beginning of a new chapter for the EU and UK. "More respectful of commitments made, in particular regarding peace & stability in Northern Ireland, more friendly, more constructive…," he wrote.

"Dream On!" say most EU diplomats I've been chatting to.

They regard the mass resignations of Conservative ministers around Boris Johnson as self-serving attempts to save their career, they tell me, rather than signs of disagreement with his policies, Brexit-related or otherwise.

"This Johnson resignation just means more uncertainty for us Europeans. More UK inward-looking obsession with its own domestic dramas, rather than looking outwards towards partners abroad," grumbled one particularly fed-up EU diplomat who spent years working on Brexit.

"And all this, with war back here on our continent," he added. "The UK needs to get a grip."

The Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin feels relations have become "strained"


Talking about the war in Ukraine, Boris Johnson's attitude towards Russia is one aspect of his premiership that - not only Kyiv - but EU and Nato members in Eastern and Central Europe will miss very much.

Back in December, even before the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine, Poland's prime minister - Mateusz Morawiecki - told me Mr Johnson clearly understood the Russian threat, unlike many other leaders in the West.

Central European diplomats were often unwilling to criticise Mr Johnson in public over Brexit because, they said privately, he was such a close ally when it came to security matters (in this context, they meant Russia).

But even they believe this to be a UK stance, rather than a hawkish attitude peculiar to Boris Johnson.

Summing up the EU mix of fascination and Schadenfreude at Boris Johnson's demise, as well as trepidation at what might come next, one senior figure told me, rather tongue-in-cheek: "I'm keeping one hand in my bag of popcorn, and the other on my nervous heart."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×