Chancellor Kern: UK should pay 60 Bio. € (Br)exit-fee

[Tender Branson]

He's not wrong. Divorces are pretty costly most of the time. Don't know how May will sell this to British voters, but I've read a similar story recently in the "Economist":

U.K. Faces 60 Billion-Euro Brexit Bill, Austrian Leader Says

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https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-02-23/u-k-faces-60-billion-euro-brexit-bill-austrian-chancellor-says

[Tender Branson]

That's not an exclusively Austrian sentiment though.

Most other EU countries also think that the UK should be billed significantly for leaving the EU.

They already get a huge rebate in the 1980s, so a Brexit bill would be logical.

The Brits simply cannot always get what they want. Elections (and this was a pretty stupid one) have consequences and they need to pay for leaving the club, IMO.

[Tender Branson]

The Brits have made budgetary (and other) commitments for the next 5 years, which are basically a contract. Now that they hastily decided to pull out, other countries will likely have to pay more into the EU budget and other projects. The UK simply cannot pull out of the club for free. The EU would simply fold here, which would be a shame. The UK needs to pay !

[Tender Branson]

Alternatively, how about the UK does what they want and you get nothing?

That's not how things work among mature politicians (excl. your childish President).

There needs to be some sort of agreement in which the UK pays a certain fee to leave the union, so that they can get fitting trade deals after they have exited. Otherwise, if they are too selfish the UK could get punished again later and nobody really wants that (on both sides).

[Tender Branson]

Well, pay for what? if it is money received from the EU since the referendum then yes they should bring it back. Other than that I don't see what they should pay for exactly

Previously mentioned budgetary positions and projects over the next few years, to which the UK has committed itself. Plus a lot of pension payments etc.

Anyway, the cost doesn't necessarily have to be 60 Bio. €, they could also be lower (that's just a starting point based on the UK's current liabilities within the EU).

Part of a comprehensive deal could also be a lower Brexit fee, but better trade conditions etc.

Or the EU cuts down their future budget, to avoid a shortfall causes by the UK not paying any longer, which would also be a nice option.