Stephen Fidler, Brussels Editor of the Wall Street Journal

“Brexit or B-remain”: Britain in Europe, a divorce down the line?


The question whether the UK will remain in the EU or leave it is one of the most daunting challenges that European countries will have to face this year.
 
On June 23, 2016, the British citizens will decide in a referendum whether the United Kingdom will remain part of the European Union. In other words the question will be: will there be a “Brexit” (Britain exit from the EU) or not?
 
With an economy now deeply integrated in the European market and a macroeconomic climate remaining very fragile across Europe, this raises numerous questions, a.o.:
 
- Who are the main stakeholders and what are the drivers and the roots causes of UK’s specific “Euroscepticism”?

- What is the current state of the debate in the UK, just one month before the referendum?

- In February 2016, the British Prime Minister Cameron has clearly demanded a “reformed EU” and negotiated specific conditions in order for the UK to remain a member state of the latter. Are these demands legitimate? What would be the impact of this new framework on the European Union?

- In the case of a victory of the “NO”, what are the risks for the UK and for the EU involved in a potential Brexit? What could be the modalities of a Brexit?
 
In order to help us clarifying these issues and other you might have, we are very happy to welcome Mr Stephen Fidler, the Brussels Editor of the Wall Street Journal. As British citizen based in Brussels and in charge of the Brussels’ bureau of the most important US economic newspaper for now more than 6 years, Mr Filder is uniquely positioned to address and provide informed thoughts and analysis on these questions.


Conference in the English language.

Welcome from 7.00 pm; Conference at 7.30 pm; Drink and sandwiches at 8.30 pm.