Library Note

Leaving the European Union: Profile of the EU27

On 29 March 2017, the UK formally notified the European Union of its intention to withdraw from its membership by triggering Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. Under Article 50, the UK and the EU will have two years to negotiate a withdrawal agreement (unless there is a unanimous decision by the European Council, with the agreement of the UK, to extend this). A separate agreement may be necessary to establish future relations between the UK and the EU.

In the notification letter from the Prime Minister, Theresa May, to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, Mrs May suggested “some principles that we might agree to help make sure that the process is as smooth and successful as possible”. Among these seven principles were that the negotiations should be constructive and respectful “in a spirit of sincere cooperation”, that in negotiating “we should always put our citizens first” and that “we must pay attention to the UK’s unique relationship with the Republic of Ireland and the importance of the peace process in Northern Ireland”. Michel Barnier, a former European Commissioner, will negotiate on behalf of the EU. This will be based on guidelines to be adopted by the European Council, which represents the member states, on 29 April 2017. A nine page document of draft guidelines was published across a number of media outlets following a statement by Donald Tusk on 31 March 2017, which set out the next steps.

Ahead of these negotiations, this Lords Library briefing profiles each of the EU27 member states. It provides information about their membership of the EU, the size of their economies, their trade in goods and services with the UK and their populations, including, as an Appendix, the estimated number of citizens from each EU member state residing in the UK, and the number of UK citizens residing in each EU member state. It also provides a snapshot of the EU27 member states’ perspectives on the UK’s departure from the EU, up until the point Article 50 was invoked by the UK. It does this by setting out the key points made and issues raised by the current head of government/state (where possible) in each of these countries, who in holding these positions are also members of the European Council (in some cases other relevant figures, such as government ministers, are quoted). In focusing on the heads of government/state, the briefing does not include the views of other political opinions in those countries. Consequently, the briefing will not, therefore, fully capture the domestic political situation in each of those countries. Additionally, the views expressed may not remain static as negotiations start and develop. The governments of individual member states may change their views and positions, and/or personnel changes may take place in governments that affect these perspectives.

Charley Coleman | Hannah Cooper | Eren Waitzman 31 March 2017 LLN 2017/018

Table of Contents

1. Austria ...... 1 2. Belgium ...... 3 3. Bulgaria ...... 5 4. Croatia ...... 7 5. Cyprus ...... 9 6. Czech Republic ...... 11 7. Denmark ...... 13 8. Estonia ...... 15 9. Finland ...... 17 10. France...... 19 11. Germany ...... 21 12. Greece ...... 23 13. Hungary ...... 25 14. Ireland ...... 27 15. Italy ...... 29 16. Latvia ...... 32 17. Lithuania ...... 34 18. Luxembourg ...... 36 19. Malta ...... 38 20. Netherlands ...... 40 21. Poland...... 42 22. Portugal ...... 44 23. Romania ...... 46 24. Slovakia ...... 48 25. Slovenia ...... 50 26. Spain ...... 52 27. Sweden ...... 54 Appendix ...... 56

House of Lords Library Note I Leaving the EU: Profile of the EU27 1

1. Austria

EU Member Since: 1 January 1995

Population (2015): 8,576,261 (1.7 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 18

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €337.162 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 1 December 2007)1

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State2 Head of Government3 Name: Alexander Van Der Bellen (President) Christian Kern (Chancellor)

Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by the electorate. Determined by the majority coalition parties in the Federal Assembly but appointed by the President. Term Length 6 years – (where defined): Last Election / Since January 2017 (last elected 4 Since 17 May 2016 Appointment: December 2016)

Lower House4 Upper House5 Name: Nationalrat / National Council Bundesrat / Federal Council Members: 183 62 Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected in single-seat Members are appointed by state constituencies under the proportional parliaments. Each state receives three to representation voting system. twelve seats in the Federal Council, proportional to their population. Term Length 5 years 5 or 6 years (where defined): Last Election / 29 September 2013 – Appointment:

1 European Union, ‘Austria’, accessed 22 March 2017. 2 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Austria’, accessed 22 March 2017. 3 ibid. 4 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Austria: Nationalrat (National Council)’, accessed 22 March 2017. 5 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Austria: Bundesrat (Federal Council)’, accessed 22 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 1: UK Exports to and Imports from Austria in Goods and Services, 2015

1059 Services 943

1567 Goods 3057

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

On 13 February 2017, the Austrian Chancellor, Christian Kern, outlined his view on the UK’s formal withdrawal from the EU. Following a meeting in Brussels with the European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, Mr Kern told reporters:

A member of a club must have better conditions than somebody who isn’t a member of this club—our British friends must be aware that nothing else can come out of these negotiations […] Everything else would be a capitulation by Europe.6

Later that month, Mr Kern also speculated as to the potential final bill that the UK may face once it leaves the EU. In an interview with Bloomberg, he said “the check [sic] should be around 60 billion euros”, and contended “that’s what the European Commission has calculated and this will be part of the negotiations”.7

6 Ben Chapman, ‘Brexit: Britain Must Be Made Worse-off After Leaving EU, Says Austrian Chancellor’, Independent, 13 February 2017. 7 Boris Groendhal et al, ‘UK Faces 60 Billion Euro Brexit Bill, Austrian Leader Says’, Bloomberg Politics, 23 February 2017.

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2. Belgium

EU Member Since: 1 January 1958

Population (2015): 11,258,434 (2.2 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 21

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €409.407 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 March 1995)8

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State9 Head of Government10 Name: King Philippe (Monarch) Charles Michel (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Hereditary Appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party or majority coalition. Term Length – – (where defined): Last Election / Since 21 July 2013 Since 11 October 2014 Appointment:

Lower House11 Upper House12 Name: Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers / Senaat / Sénat / Senate Chambre des Representants / Chamber of Representatives Members: 150 60 Appointment Mechanism: Members directly elected in multi-seat Mixed: 50 members directly elected in constituencies by proportional multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation. representation. 10 members indirectly elected by Community Parliaments Term Length 5 years 5 years (where defined): Last Election / 25 May 2014 3 July 2014 Appointment:

8 European Union, ‘Belgium’, accessed 22 March 2017. 9 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Belgium’, accessed 22 March 2017. 10 ibid. 11 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Belgium: Chambre des Représentants (House of Representatives)’, accessed 22 March 2017. 12 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Belgium: Sénat (Senate)’, accessed 22 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 2: UK Exports to and Imports from Belgium in Goods and Services, 2015

3589 Services 2316

11556 Goods 20936

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

In an interview with the Financial Times in July 2016, Belgium’s Prime Minister, Charles Michel, called the referendum outcome “a very negative situation for the UK, there is no doubt”.13 Mr Michel also criticised the approach to EU negotiations by the UK Government in the aftermath of the referendum, arguing that:

I’m only 40-years old but it’s the first time in my life that I’ve seen a democracy in a situation like this […] [after] this decision there is de facto a form of black hole. What comes last? They have not even the courage to lead and say, it’s this direction.14

13 Alex Barker and Jim Brunsden, ‘EU Will Not Help UK Out of ‘Black Hole’, Belgian Premier Warns’, Financial Times (£), 8 July 2016. 14 ibid.

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3. Bulgaria

EU Member Since: 1 January 2007

Population (2015): 7,202,198 (1.4 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 17

Currency: Bulgarian Lev

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €44.162 billion

Schengen Area Member: No15

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State16 Head of Government17 Name: Rumen Radev (President) At the time of writing, the country was counting the results of the latest election and therefore the Prime Minister was unconfirmed. Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by an absolute Elected by Members of the National majority popular vote. Assembly. Term Length 5 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 22 January 2012 (last elected 6 6 March 2017 and 13 November 2016)

Unicameral18 Name: Narodno Sabranie / National Assembly Members 240 Appointment Mechanism: Members elected to the Assembly from multi-seated constituencies under proportional representation Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 5 October 2014

15 European Union, ‘Bulgaria’, accessed 22 March 2017. 16 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Bulgaria’, accessed 22 March 2017. 17 ibid. 18 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Bulgaria: Narodno Sabranie (National Assembly)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 3: UK Exports to and Imports from Bulgaria in Goods and Services, 2015

456 Services 329

348 Goods 381

0 100 200 300 400 500 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Responding to the outcome of the UK referendum, the then Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borisov, contended that the result “marked a bad day for Europe”.19 Discussing the future of the EU without the UK, Mr Borisov stated that:

From now on the EU must show that it can do without Britain […] and we have to start thinking about Europe without them. Any negotiations about a special status should not be held because they will break the union apart.20

19 Sofia News Agency, ‘UK’s Brexit Vote Marks ‘Bad Day for Europe’, Bulgarian PM Borisov Says’, 24 June 2016. 20 ibid.

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4. Croatia

EU Member Since: 1 July 2013

Population (2015): 4,225,316 (0.8 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 11

Currency: Croatian Kuna

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €43.897 billion

Schengen Area Member: No21

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State22 Head of Government23 Name: Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović Andrej Plenković (Prime Minister) (President) Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by an absolute Approved by the Assembly. The majority popular vote. Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party or majority coalition. Term Length 5 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 19 February 2015 (last elected Since 19 October 2016 28 December 2014 and 11 January 2015)

Unicameral24 Name: Hrvatski Sabor / Assembly Members: 151 Appointment Mechanism: Each member of the Hrvatski Sabor is directly elected by proportional representation using the D’Hondt method25 with a five percent threshold: 14 seats are allocated in each of ten districts; eight seats in a single nationwide district for minorities; and three seats in a single special district for Croatian diaspora. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 11 September 2016

21 European Union, ‘Croatia’, accessed 22 March 2017. 22 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Croatia’, accessed 22 March 2017. 23 ibid. 24 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Croatia: Hrvatski Sabor (Croatian Parliament)’, accessed 27 March 2017. 25 The d’Hondt system is one which uses the highest average method, whereby a party's vote total is divided by a certain figure which increases as it wins more seats. For further information, visit: BBC News, ‘The d’Hondt System Explained’, 28 November 1999.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 4: UK Exports to and Imports from Croatia in Goods and Services, 2015

183 Services 404

141 Goods 95

0 100 200 300 400 500 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

On 11 October 2016, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, met with Croatia’s President, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic in Downing Street. Following the meeting, Ms Grabar-Kitarovic stated that the UK’s decision to leave the EU was a “great shock” and a “wake-up call” to the remaining 27 member states in the Union.26 Regarding the final agreement between the UK and EU, President Grabar-Kitarovic stated:

It will be a process like no other with far reaching consequences—its final scope no one can predict with absolute certainty. It is not only about trading arrangements and access to the EU's single market […] it is also about preserving our joint and unique culture, our decades of strategic partnership and our commitment to the same shared values. This relationship needs to be tailor-made.27

At a conference on the future of the EU on 22 March 2017, Andrej Plenkovic, the Croatian Prime Minister, expressed caution about the idea of a “multi-speed” Europe.28 With regard to the UK, he added that analyses showed that “Croatia would be least affected by Brexit but it would nevertheless feel it just as all the countries will”.

26 Adela Suliman, ‘Brexit to be Difficult Process Like No Other—Croatia President’, Reuters, 12 October 2016. 27 ibid. 28 Government of the Republic of Croatia, ‘PM Plenkovic: We Must Not Fall into the Trap of Multi-speed Europe’, 22 March 2017.

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5. Cyprus

EU Member Country Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 847,008 (0.2 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 6

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €17.421 billion

Schengen Area Member: No29

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State30 Name: Nicos Anastasiades (Head of State and Government)

Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by an absolute majority popular vote

Term Length 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 28 February 2013 (last elected 17 and 24 February 2013)

Unicameral31 Name: Vouli Antiprosopon / House of Representatives Members: 80 Appointment Mechanism: Members of the House of Representatives are directly elected by the proportional representation voting system. Term Length 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 22 May 2016

29 European Union, ‘Cyprus’, accessed 22 March 2017. 30 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Cyprus’, accessed 22 March 2017. 31 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Cyprus: Vouli Antiprosopon (House of Representatives)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 5: UK Exports to and Imports from Cyprus in Goods and Services, 2015

533 Services 955

374 Goods 160

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Following the referendum, a spokesman for the Cypriot Government stated that the EU’s aim should be to facilitate “the smoothest possible exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union”.32 In regards to the bilateral relations between the UK and Cyprus, the Cypriot Government further noted that:

The excellent bilateral relations and the unbreakable friendly ties that connect the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom existed before the accession of the two countries to the EU. The two countries are also connected through their membership to the Commonwealth, a cooperation that exists for decades.

The Republic of Cyprus will work to further enhance and deepen its relations with the United Kingdom. In this context, we look forward to strengthening our existing close cooperation, so that the interests of the two countries and their peoples are, inter alia, fully ensured, on the basis of the new conditions created.33

32 Cypriot Government’s Press and Information Office, ‘Written Statement of the Government Spokesman on the Result of the British Referendum’, 24 June 2016. 33 ibid.

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6. Czech Republic

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 10,538,275 (2.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 21

Currency: Czech Koruna

Gross Domestic Product (2005): €163.947 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007) 34

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State35 Head of Government36 Name: Miloš Zeman (President) Bohuslav Sobotka (Prime Minister)

Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by an absolute The Prime Minister is appointed by majority popular vote. the President.

Term Length 5 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 8 March 2013 (last elected 25 Since 17 January 2014 and 26 January 2013)

Lower House37 Upper House38 Name: Poslanecka Snemovna / Chamber of Senat / Senate Deputies

Members: 200 81 Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected in multi-seat Directly elected in single-seat constituencies by the proportional constituencies by an absolute representation voting system. majority vote. Term Length 4 years 6 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 25 and 26 October 2013 7 and 8 & 14 and 15 October 2016

34 European Union, ‘Czech Republic’, accessed 22 March 2017. 35 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Czech Republic’, accessed 22 March 2017. 36 ibid. 37 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Czech Republic: Poslanecka Snemovna (Chamber of Deputies)’, accessed 27 March 2017. 38 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Czech Republic: Senat (Senate)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 6: UK Exports to and Imports from the Czech Republic in Goods and Services, 2015

888 Services 558

1978 Goods 4954

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Reacting to the UK’s referendum result, the Czech Prime Minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, called on the EU to agree the UK’s exit “quickly and rationally”.39 He also contended that the EU “must change quickly” and that it must “be more ready to act, be flexible, less bureaucratic and much more sensible to the diversity that the 27 member states represent”.40

39 Jason Hovet, ‘Czech Prime Minister Says EU Must Change Quickly After Brexit’, Reuters, 24 June 2016. 40 ibid.

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7. Denmark

EU Member Since: 1 January 1973

Population (2015): 5,659,715 (1.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 13

Currency: Danish Krone

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €266.244 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 25 March 2001)41

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State42 Head of Government43 Name: Queen Margrethe II (Monarch) Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Hereditary The Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch and is usually the leader of the majority party or majority coalition. Term Length – 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 14 January 1972 Since 28 June 2015

Unicameral44 Name: Folketinget / People’s Assembly Members: 179 Appointment Mechanism: Members are directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 18 June 2015

41 European Union, ‘Denmark’, accessed 22 March 2017. 42 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Denmark’, accessed 22 March 2017. 43 ibid. 44 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Denmark: Folketinget (The Danish Parliament)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 7: UK Exports to and Imports from Denmark in Goods and Services, 2015

3137 Services 1114

2334 Goods 3512

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

On 17 January 2017, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, made a speech outlining the UK’s negotiating objectives for leaving the EU. In response to those comments, the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said that Denmark was prepared to cooperate with the UK in negotiating a new agreement with the EU. Mr Rasmussen stated that:

If the UK wants to completely pull out and have a proper trade agreement, then we need to look at it. From a Danish perspective, we want to enter into this [the negotiations] constructively. We have an enormous interest in cooperating with the UK on trade, combating terror and education in one another’s countries.45

45 The Local DK, ‘Danish PM Urges ‘Constructive’ Approach to UK’s Hard Brexit’, 17 January 2017.

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8. Estonia

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 1,313,271 (0.3 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 6

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €20.461 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007) 46

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State47 Head of Government48 Name: Kersti Kaljulaid (President) Jüri Ratas (Prime Minister)

Appointment Mechanism: The President is elected by The Prime Minister is nominated by Parliament. the President and approved by Parliament.

Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 10 October 2016 (last elected 23 November 2016 3 October 2016)

Unicameral49 Name: Riigikogu / Parliament Members: 101 Appointment Mechanism: Members are directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 1 March 2015

46 European Union, ‘Estonia’, accessed 22 March 2017. 47 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Estonia’, accessed 22 March 2017. 48 ibid. 49 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Estonia: Riigikogu (The Estonian Parliament)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 8: UK Exports to and Imports from Estonia in Goods and Services, 2015

97 Services 31

221 Goods 191

0 50 100 150 200 250 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Speaking following a meeting with the EU’s Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier, in December 2016, Estonia’s President, Kersti Kaljulaid, outlined Estonia’s view of the UK leaving the EU. In a press release, Ms Kaljulaid stated that Estonia “respects the results of the referendum” and that it was “important for the negotiations to end successfully and for the European Union to remain united”.50

Prime Minister Jüri Ratas has said that “a close relationship” between the UK and the EU was “a matter of common interest”, adding that the UK was “and will remain an important European country in both political and economic terms and an essential partner in the field of security. However, there are no benefits without responsibilities—access to the internal market is linked to full acceptance of the four fundamental freedoms”.51

50 Office of the President of Estonia, ‘News in Pictures: President Kaljulaid Met with the EU’s Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier’, 20 December 2016. 51 Republic of Estonia Government, ‘Prime Minister Ratas: It is Essential to Maintain the Unity of the EU and to Achieve a Fair Deal with the UK’, 20 December 2016.

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9. Finland

EU Member Country Since: 1 January 1995

Population (2015): 5,471,753 (1.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 13

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2005): €207.220 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 25 March 2001)52

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State53 Head of Government54 Name: Sauli Niinistö (President) Juha Sipilä (Prime Minister)

Appointment Mechanism: The President is directly elected by The Prime Minister is appointed by absolute majority popular vote. Parliament.

Term Length 6 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 1 March 2012 (last elected 5 Since 29 May 2015 February 2012)

Unicameral55 Name: Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament Members: 200 Appointment Mechanism: Mixed: 199 members directly elected in single and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation. The remaining seat in the province of Aland is directly elected by majority vote. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 19 April 2015

52 European Union, ‘Finland’, accessed 22 March 2017. 53 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Finland’, accessed 22 March 2017. 54 ibid. 55 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Finland: Eduskunta—Riksdagen (Parliament)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 9: UK Exports to and Imports from Finland in Goods and Services, 2015

1356 Services 537

1295 Goods 2084

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Responding to the UK’s decision to formally withdraw from the EU, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö described the move as a “serious blow” to the EU.56 Mr Niinistö contended that:

Although it does not yet pose a threat to the Union, it must be taken seriously. One of the strong messages is that people throughout the EU often have little trust even in their own leaders, let alone the EU. This problem is not confined to Britain, but is also taking hold on the continent. If it is allowed to worsen, it will become a genuine threat to the Union and thereby to all of us.57

In regards to future relations between the two countries, the Finnish President stated:

Britain will remain an important partner for the EU and Finland, even after Brexit. We hope that our relations remain close and strong. This is not just an economic issue. Britain’s strong and positive input will continue to be needed in terms of foreign and security policy as well.58

In October 2016, Prime Minister Juha Sipila outlined what he hoped would feature in the EU’s negotiating position. He said: “I think the security aspect could be another element in the (Brexit) agreement. For example, if the (EU’s) solidarity clause would cover Britain, that would of course have value in these discussions”.59

56 President of the Republic of Finland, ‘President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö’s Speech at the Ambassador Seminar on 23 August 2016’, 23 August 2016. 57 ibid. 58 President of the Republic of Finland, ‘President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö’s Speech at the Ambassador Seminar on 23 August 2016’, 23 August 2016. 59 Tuomas Forsell and Jussi Rosendahl, ‘Finland Wants Security Cooperation to be Part of Brexit Talks: PM’, Reuters, 19 October 2016.

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10. France

EU Member Since: 1 January 1958

Population (2015): 66,415,161 (13.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 74

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2005): €2.184 trillion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 March 1995)60

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State61 Head of Government62 Name: François Hollande (President) Bernard Cazeneuve (Prime Minister)

Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by an absolute The Prime Minister is appointed by majority popular vote in two rounds the President. (if needed). Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 15 May 2012 (last elected 22 Since 6 December 2016 April 2012 and 6 May 2012)

Lower House63 Upper House64 Name: Assemblée Nationale / National Sénat / Senate Assembly

Members: 577 348 Appointment Mechanism: Members of the Assemblée Members of the Sénat are indirectly Nationale are directly elected by elected by departmental electoral absolute majority in two rounds. colleges using absolute majority voting in two rounds if needed. Term Length 5 years 6 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 10 and 17 June 2012 28 September 2014

60 European Union, ‘France’, accessed 22 March 2017. 61 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: France’, accessed 22 March 2017. 62 ibid. 63 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: France: Assemblée Nationale (National Assembly)’, accessed 27 March 2017. 64 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: France: Sénat (Senate)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 10: UK Exports to and Imports from France in Goods and Services, 2015

14153 Services 12905

17920 Goods 24412

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

In October 2016, French President Francois Hollande warned the UK that there would be consequences for leaving the EU. He stated that “there must be a threat, there must be a risk, there must be a price, otherwise we will be in negotiations that will not end well and, inevitably, will have economic and human consequences”.65

In addition, Mr Hollande warned that there would need to be consequences for the UK, otherwise “other countries or other parties will be minded to leave the European Union in order to have the supposed benefits and no downsides or rules”.66

The first round of the French presidential election is due to be held on 23 April 2017, with a second round run-off between the two remaining candidates fixed for 7 May 2017. Mr Hollande, the current President, is not running for a second term.67

65 Angelique Chrisafis, ‘UK Must Pay Price for Brexit, Says François Hollande’, Guardian, 7 October 2017. 66 ibid. 67 BBC News, ‘French Election 2017: Everything You Need to Know’, 20 March 2017.

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11. Germany

EU Member Since: 1 January 1958

Population (2015): 81,197,537 (16 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 96

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2005): €3.026 trillion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 March 1995) 68

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State69 Head of Government70 Name: Frank-Walter Steinmeier (President) Angela Merkel (Chancellor) Appointment Mechanism: The President is elected by the The Chancellor is indirectly elected members Federal Parliament by absolute majority by the Federal (Bundestag) and 630 delegates Parliament for a 4-year term. indirectly elected by the state parliaments.

Term Length 5 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Last elected 12 February 2017 Since 22 November 2005 (last elected 17 December 2013)

Lower House71 Upper House72 Name: Bundestag / Federal Diet Bundesrat / Federal Council

Members: 631 69 Appointment Mechanism: Mixed: Members are directly elected Members appointed by each of the in multi-seat constituencies by 16 state governments. proportional representation vote. Other members are also directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote. Term Length 4 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 22 September 2013 –

68 European Union, ‘Germany’, accessed 22 March 2017. 69 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Germany’, accessed 22 March 2017. 70 ibid. 71 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Germany: Deutscher Bundestag (German Bundestag)’, accessed 27 March 2017. 72 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Germany: Bundesrat (Federal Council)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 11: UK Exports to and Imports from Germany in Goods and Services, 2015

14275 Services 8452

30480 Goods 61789

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000 £ million

Export Import (Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

In response to the UK’s decision to leave the EU, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, vowed to keep the remainder of the EU together. On 18 January 2017, Ms Merkel told reporters that “the be-all and end-all is that Europe doesn’t let itself be divided, and we will ensure this through very intensive contacts”.73 She also said that, in the UK’s negotiations with the EU, she would seek to prevent the UK from “cherry picking”, arguing that access to the single market was bound with the four freedoms: the movement of goods, people, services and capital.74

German federal elections are due to take place by October 2017. Unless it is dissolved early, in accordance with German Basic Law, 23 August 2017 is the earliest date on which the elections could be held, the latest possible date would be 22 October 2017.75

73 Duncan Robinson and Stefan Wagstyl, ‘Angela Merkel Pledges to Block Brexit ‘Cherry Picking’’, Financial Times (£), 18 January 2017. 74 ibid. 75 House of Lords Library, European Union in 2017: Background Information, 17 January 2017.

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12. Greece

EU Member Since: 1 January 1981

Population (2015): 10,858,018 (2.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 21

Currency: Euro

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €176.023 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 1 January 2000)76

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State77 Head of Government78 Name: Prokopios Pavlopoulos (President) Alexis Tsipras (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: The President is directly elected by The Prime Minister is appointed by Parliament. the President and is usually the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Hellenic Parliament. Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 13 March 2015 (last elected 18 Since 21 September 2015 February 2015)

Unicameral79 Name: Vouli Ton Ellinon / Parliament Members: 300 Appointment Mechanism: Mixed: 288 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote. 12 seats are filled from nationwide party lists. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 20 September 2015

76 European Union, ‘Greece’, accessed 22 March 2017. 77 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘The World Factbook: Greece’, accessed 22 March 2017. 78 ibid. 79 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Greece: Vouli Ton Ellinon (Hellenic Parliament)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 12: UK Exports to and Imports from Greece in Goods and Services, 2015

1231 Services 2356

932 Goods 732

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Following the UK referendum outcome, the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, blamed the UK’s decision on “chronic deficiencies” of EU leaders and their policies on austerity.80 In a statement to his party’s central committee on 26 June 2016, Mr Tsipras contended that:

As much as the decision of the British people saddens us, it is a decision to be respected. We must not put the blame on the British people […] when the borders remain open on austerity policies but stay closed for people.81

80 George Georgiopoulos, ‘Tsipras Blames Brexit on Austerity, Deficiencies in EU Leadership’, Reuters, 26 June 2016. 81 ibid.

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13. Hungary

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 9,855,571 (1.9 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 21

Currency: Hungarian Forint

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €108.748 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007)82

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State83 Head of Government84 Name: János Áder (President) Viktor Orbán (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Indirectly elected by Members of Elected by the National Assembly on National Assembly. the recommendation of the President. Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 10 May 2012 (Last elected 2 Since 29 May 2010 (last elected May 2012) 2014)

Unicameral85 Name: Országgyülés / National Assembly Members: 199 Appointment Mechanism: Mixed Member Proportional System. First-past-the-post system for 106 constituency seats. Proportional representation for 93 members elected under national lists. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 6 April 2014

82 European Union, ‘Hungary’, accessed 27 March 2017. 83 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Hungary’, accessed 27 March 2017. 84 ibid. 85 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Hungary: Országgyülés (National Assembly)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

26 House of Lords Library Note I Leaving the EU: Profile of the EU27

Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 13: UK Exports to and Imports from Hungary in Goods and Services, 2015

484 Services 567

1282 Goods 2574

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in an interview with the Telegraph in November 2016, expressed his country’s strong interest in free trade, adding that “we Hungarians are in favour of a ‘fair’ Brexit”. He explained that “we wish success to the British”, adding that Hungary was “one of the countries who will lose most from the British departure from the EU”. Mr Orban contended that there was “obviously a life outside the European Union and if a sovereign nation is so brave as to make that decision, then we wish them good luck”. He observed: “we are not looking for a relationship with the British where it’s good for us, but you suffer, because you ‘deserve it’—which is the general approach of many countries—we want a relationship that is good for us, and makes a success of Britain”.86

86 Peter Foster, ‘Viktor Orban Interview: Full Transcript’, Telegraph, 11 November 2016.

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14. Ireland

EU Member Since: 1 January 1973

Population (2015): 4,628,949 (0.9 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 11

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 1999)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €214.623 billion

Schengen Area Member: No87

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State88 Head of Government89 Name: Michael Higgins (President) Enda Kenny (Taoiseach / Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by majority popular Nominated by the House of vote. Representatives (Dáil Eireann), appointed by the President. Term Length 7 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 11 November 2011 (last Since 9 March 2011 (last elected 6 elected 29 October 2011) May 2016)

Lower House90 Upper House91 Name: Dáil Éireann / House of Seanad Éireann / Senate Representatives Members: 158 60 Appointment Mechanism: 40 multi-member (3 to 5 seats) 49 indirectly elected, 11 appointed. constituencies. Proportional Indirectly elected: includes 43 representation under the single members elected by panels of transferable vote system. candidates and three members each elected by the National University of Ireland and the University of Dublin. Appointed members: appointed by the Prime Minister. Term Length 5 years 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 26 February 2016 25 and 26 April 2016

87 European Union, ‘Ireland’, accessed 27 March 2017. 88 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Ireland’, accessed 27 March 2017. 89 ibid. 90 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Ireland: Dáil Éireann (House of Representatives)’, accessed 7 March 2017. 91 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Ireland: Seanad Éireann (Senate)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 14: UK Exports to and Imports from Ireland in Goods and Services, 2015

9321 Services 4862

16764 Goods 12803

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Following the UK’s vote to leave the EU, the Irish Government announced a range of contingency plans in order to address the potential impacts of the withdrawal process.92 This included prioritising British-Irish relations, Northern Ireland, trade, investment, North-South border impacts, competitiveness and macro–economic issues, research/innovation funding and energy. In a statement on 17 January 2017, the Irish Government stated that it was “acutely” aware of the possible risks to the Irish economy of Brexit, but that it was also aware of potential “economic opportunities”, including in terms of mobile investment:

Bids for the EU agencies currently located in London—the European Medicines Board and the European Banking Authority have already been announced and the State enterprise agencies are actively pursuing opportunities for increased investment, business and job creation in Ireland.93

On 23 January 2017, the Guardian also reported comments from the Irish Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, stating that Ireland wanted a special provision in any ‘Brexit deal’ to allow Northern Ireland to rejoin the EU should it be united with the Republic of Ireland:

In other words, that in such future time, whenever that might be, were it [reunification] to occur, that the north of Ireland would have ease of access to join as a member of the European Union again […] We want that language inserted into the negotiated treaty, the negotiated outcome, whenever that might occur.94

92 Department of the Taoiseach, ‘Irish Government Brexit Contingency Plans Announced’, 24 June 2016. 93 Department of the Taoiseach, ‘Government Statement on Brexit’, 17 January 2017. 94 Daniel Boffey, ‘Irish Leader Calls for United Ireland Provision in Brexit Deal’, Guardian, 23 February 2017.

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15. Italy

EU Member Since: 1 January 1958

Population (2015): 60,795,612 (12 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 73

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 1999)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €1.636 trillion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 October 1997)95

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State96 Head of Government97 Name: Sergio Mattarella (President) Paolo Gentiloni (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: President indirectly elected by an Appointed by the president, electoral college consisting of both confirmed by parliament. houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives. Term Length 7 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 3 February (last elected 31 Since 12 December 2016 January 2015)

Lower House98 Upper House99 Name: Camera dei Deputati / Chamber of Senato della Repubblica / Senate Deputies Members: 630 322

95 European Union, ‘Italy’, accessed 27 March 2017. 96 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Italy’, accessed 27 March 2017. 97 ibid. 98 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Italy: Camera dei Deputati (Chamber of Deputies)’, accessed 27 March 2017. 99 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Italy: Senato della Repubblica (Senate)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

30 House of Lords Library Note I Leaving the EU: Profile of the EU27

Lower House98 Upper House99 Appointment Mechanism: Proportional representation system Directly elected 315; appointed 5; for 629 of 630 seats, using blocked other 2. Proportional representation party lists for 617 of the 630 system applying the d'Hondt method members elected from Italy and for to regional voting results for 302 the 12 members elected by Italian seats. Proportional representation citizens overseas (first-past-the-post system for the constituency for system for the single-member Italians abroad representing four constituency in Valle d’Aosta). geographical groups (six seats) (first- past-the-post system for single-seat- constituencies in Valle d’Aosta and Trentino-Alto Adige (12 seats)). The President of the Republic may appoint five citizens. Other: ex- officio member (former Presidents of the Republic are ex officio Senators and for life unless they renounce the office). Term Length 5 years 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 24 and 25 February 2013 24 and 25 February 2013

Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 15: UK Exports to and Imports from Italy in Goods and Services, 2015

8235 Services 4657

8485 Goods 16006

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

On 9 February 2017, the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, took part in a joint press conference with the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May. At that time, Mr Gentiloni said that, whilst negotiations over the UK’s exit from the EU will not be easy, “there is absolutely no

House of Lords Library Note I Leaving the EU: Profile of the EU27 31 point at having a destructive negotiation between the EU and the UK”.100 He also stated that this would be achieved through fostering unity among the remaining 27 members, and ensuring this unity resulted “in the best possible agreement with the UK”.101 Mr Gentiloni also spoke about reassuring citizens of both the UK and Italy that their acquired rights “will be respected and there will be reciprocity, so there will be very fair treatment”.102 The Italian Prime Minister also stated that cooperation between the UK and Italy on international issues should continue, including with regard to NATO, and issues such as Libya and the migration crisis in the Mediterranean.103

100 Prime Minister’s Office, ‘PM Press Conference with Italian Prime Minister Gentiloni: 9 February 2017’, 9 February 2017. 101 ibid. 102 ibid. 103 ibid.

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16. Latvia

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 1,986,096 (0.4 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 8

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 2014)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €24.378 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007)104

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State105 Head of Government106 Name: Raimonds Vējonis (President) Māris Kučinskis (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: President indirectly elected by Appointed by the President, Parliament. confirmed by Parliament. Term Length 4 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 8 July 2015 (last elected 3 June Since 11 February 2016 2015)

Unicameral107 Name: Saeima / Parliament Members: 100 Appointment Mechanism: 5 multi-member constituencies (from 13 to 32 seats each): Riga (which also includes polling stations abroad), Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme, and Zemgale. Proportional representation: Party-list system with preferential voting. Electors vote for lists of candidates but can also indicate specific support or rejection. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 4 October 2014

104 European Union, ‘Latvia’, accessed 27 March 2017. 105 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Latvia’, accessed 27 March 2017. 106 ibid. 107 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Latvia: Saeima (Parliament)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 16: UK Exports to and Imports from Latvia in Goods and Services, 2015

64 Services 122

218 Goods 518

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

On 21 February 2017, the Latvian Prime Minister, Māris Kučinskis met with David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. A press release issued by the Latvian Government following the meeting stated that Latvia hoped to develop further good relations with the UK by strengthening bilateral cooperation and by continuing to cooperate in multilateral formats. The release added that Latvia was also interested “in close cooperation between the Baltic, Nordic countries and the United Kingdom, including within the framework of the Northern Future Forum”.108 In regard to the rights of citizens, Mr Kučinskis and Mr Davis had “agreed that interests of the people who have left to work in the United Kingdom cannot be affected [by Brexit]”.109 The press release concluded by highlighting the importance of trade between the UK and Latvia.110

108 Latvian Cabinet of Ministers, ‘M Kučinskis and Brexit Minister Agree on Inviolability of Interests of Latvia’s Residents Working in UK’, 21 February 2017. 109 ibid. 110 ibid.

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17. Lithuania

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 2,921,262 (0.6 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 11

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 2015)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €37.124 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007)111

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State112 Head of Government113 Name: Dalia Grybauskaitė (President) Saulius Skvernelis (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: President directly elected by Appointed by the President, absolute majority popular vote in confirmed by Parliament. two rounds if needed. Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 12 July 2009 (last elected 11 Since 13 December 2016 and 25 May 2014)

Unicameral114 Name: Seimas / Parliament Members: 141 Appointment Mechanism: 71 single-member constituencies. One multi-member (70 seats) nationwide constituency. Mixed electoral system. Single-member constituencies based on a variant first-past-the-post system with run-off if thresholds are not met. Party-list proportional representation system for multi-member nationwide constituency. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 9 and 23 October 2016

111 European Union, ‘Lithuania’, accessed 27 March 2017. 112 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Lithuania’, accessed 27 March 2017. 113 ibid. 114 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Lithuania: Seimas (Parliament)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 17: UK Exports to and Imports from Lithuania in Goods and Services, 2015

256 Services 208

283 Goods 792

0 200 400 600 800 1000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

On 15 December 2016, the Lithuanian President, Dalia Grybauskaitė, referred to the UK as a very important economic and security partner. In light of this, and a shared approach on “a number of key foreign policy issues”, a press release from the President’s office stated that it would be necessary to develop a model of cooperation between the EU and the UK which would meet the interests of nationals of both parties.115 Dalia Grybauskaitė also stated that Lithuania would act to protect the interests of its citizens:

The most important thing is to ensure fundamental freedoms and guarantees: the free movement of persons, the right to work and health care, social guarantees, and a possibility to study and work in the UK.116

115 President of the Republic of Lithuania, ‘Lithuania Will Defend the Interests of its People in Brexit Negotiations’, 15 December 2016. 116 ibid.

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18. Luxembourg

EU Member Since: 1 January 1958

Population (2015): 562,958 (0.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 6

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 1999)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €52.112 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 March 1995)117

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State118 Head of Government119 Name: Grand Duke Henri (Monarch) Xavier Bettel (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Hereditary Following elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch. Term Length – – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 7 October 2000 Since 4 December 2013

Unicameral120 Name: Chambre des Députés / Chamber of Deputies Members: 60 Appointment Mechanism: Four multi-member constituencies (23 seats for the South, 21 for the Center, 9 for the North and 7 for the East). Party-list proportional representation system, with seats allotted according to the Hagenbach- Bishoff method. Under this system, political groups submit lists of candidates, whose number may not exceed the number of seats to be filled in the district. Term Length 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 20 October 2013

117 European Union, ‘Luxembourg’, accessed 27 March 2017. 118 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book, ‘Luxembourg’, accessed 27 March 2017. 119 ibid. 120 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Luxembourg: Chambre des Députés (Chamber of Deputies)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 18: UK Exports to and Imports from Luxembourg in Goods and Services, 2015

2210 Services 2003

198 Goods 475

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Speaking at a conference on 10 October 2016, the Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, reportedly said that being outside of the EU would have repercussions for ease of movement between the member states of the EU and the UK:

Shutting the frontiers for a day would show people what it means to wait two hours to get into Italy or Spain, to have controls everywhere, to block all exchanges. One day. So that people see what it is to be outside Europe. It’s terrible what I’m saying, but it would be good for people to understand. The UK wants to have its cake and eat it. Before, they were in and they had many opt-outs; now they want to be out with many opt-ins. We’re not on Facebook where there’s an ‘it’s complicated’ status.121

121 BBC News, ‘Brexit: Key Quotes from Non-UK Figures’, 12 October 2016.

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19. Malta

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 429,344 (0.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 6

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 2008)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €8.796 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007)122

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State123 Head of Government124 Name: Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca Joseph Muscat (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: President indirectly elected by the Following legislative elections, the House of Representatives. leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president. Term Length 5 years 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 4 April 2014 (last elected 4 Since 11 March 2013 April 2014)

Unicameral125 Name: Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati / House of Representatives Members: 65 Appointment Mechanism: 13 multi-member (five seats) constituencies (“divisions”). Single- transferable-vote (STV). Four additional members elected in accordance with the Constitution. Two additional members in accordance with the 2016 Constitutional Court decision. The Speaker may be designated from outside parliament and becomes a member of parliament ex officio. Term Length 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 9 March 2013

122 European Union, ‘Malta’, accessed 27 March 2017. 123 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Malta’, accessed 27 March 2017. 124 ibid. 125 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Malta: Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati (House of Representatives)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 19: UK Exports to and Imports from Malta in Goods and Services, 2015

689 Services 388

379 Goods 184

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Malta’s Minister for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto, Louis Grech, has stated that whilst Malta regretted the UK’s decision, it was determined to continue to have “excellent bilateral relations on many fronts”.126 The Maltese Government has also stated that it expected to further strengthen its relations with the UK in home affairs and defence.127 However, in January 2017, Joseph Muscat, Malta’s Prime Minister, observed that whilst “the new [UK-EU] relationship might be better for that country on the global aspect” he could not “imagine a situation where you leave a club, you leave Europe and you expect Europe to give you a better deal than the one you had”.128

126 Government of Malta, ‘Press Release Issued by the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto: Malta—UK Relations to Remain Strong After Brexit’, 28 September 2016. 127 Government of Malta, ‘Press Release Issued by the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security: UK—Malta Home Affairs and Defence Relations to be Further Strengthened, Irrespective of Brexit’, 1 October 2016. 128 Toby Helm, ‘No Special Favours for UK in Brexit Deal, Says Maltese Prime Minister’, Observer, 29 January 2017.

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20. Netherlands

EU Member Since: 1 January 1958

Population (2015): 16,900,726 (3.3 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 26

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 1999)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €678.572 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 March 1995)129

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State130 Head of Government131 Name: King Willem-Alexander (Monarch) Mark Rutte (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Hereditary Following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch Term Length – – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 30 April 2013 Since 14 October 2010

Lower House132 Upper House133 Name: Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal / / House of Representatives Senate Members: 150 75 Appointment Mechanism: 18 multi-member constituencies. Indirectly elected by 12 provincial Party-list system with proportional councils on a party-list system. representation. Term Length 4 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 15 March 2017 26 May 2015

129 European Union, ‘Netherlands’, accessed 27 March 2017. 130 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Netherlands’, accessed 27 March 2017. 131 ibid. 132 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Netherlands: Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal (House of Representatives)’, accessed 27 March 2017. 133 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Netherlands: Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal (Senate)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 20: UK Exports to and Imports from Netherlands in Goods and Services, 2015

12458 Services 5241

16870 Goods 31690

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

On 19 January 2017, the Guardian reported that Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, had said the UK would pay a “huge price” for prioritising immigration controls over single market membership.134 Mr Rutte also stated that the UK would potentially pay a “huge price” because the economic growth rate of the UK will be impacted negatively by leaving “the biggest market in the world”.135

During a debate at parliament in The Hague on 14 March 2017, the eve of the Dutch general election, the Washington Post reported that Mark Rutte, had expressed doubt about the UK’s Brexit optimism and suggested the UK was in for “potentially irreparable harm”.136 He added that whilst the UK’s economic growth had remained good since the vote on the 23 June 2016, this was only because the value of the pound had fallen.137 Following the general election on 15 March 2017, Mr Rutte remains the Dutch Prime Minister.138

134 Jon Henley, ‘UK Will Pay Huge Price for Prioritising Migration Curbs, says Dutch PM’, Guardian, 19 January 2017. 135 ibid. 136 Raf Casert, ‘Dutch Leader says Brexit Puts Britain in Deep Trouble’, Washington Post, 14 March 2017. 137 ibid. 138 BBC News, ‘Dutch Election: PM Rutte sees off anti-EU Wilders Challenge’, 15 March 2017.

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21. Poland

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 38,005,614 (7.5 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 51

Currency: Polish Złoty

Gross Domestic Product (2015): € 427.737 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007)139

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State140 Head of Government141 Name: Andrzej Duda (President) Beata Szydło (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: President directly elected by Prime minister appointed by the absolute majority popular vote in 2 president and confirmed by the Sejm. rounds if needed. Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 6 August 2015 (last elected 10 Since 16 November 2016 and 24 May 2015)

Lower House142 Upper House143 Name: Sejm Senat / Senate Members: 460 100 Appointment Mechanism: 41 multi-member (7 to 19 seats) 100 single-member constituencies. constituencies, a total of 460 seats. Single member plurality system (first- All 460 members are elected by past-the-post system). proportional representation, distribution of seats being effected on the basis of the modified Saint- Lague method. Term Length 4 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 25 October 2015 25 October 2015

139 European Union, ‘Poland’, accessed 27 March 2017. 140 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Poland’, accessed 27 March 2017. 141 ibid. 142 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Poland: Sejm’, accessed 27 March 2017. 143 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Poland: Senat (Senate)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 21: UK Exports to and Imports from Poland in Goods and Services, 2015

1977 Services 1785

3637 Goods 8251

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

The Polish Prime Minister, Beata Szydło, met the UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, for bilateral talks on 11 November 2016. Commenting afterwards, Mrs Szydło said that the “most important” matter from Poland’s perspective was that of guaranteeing rights for Polish citizens who live and work in the UK.144 However, she added that Poland saw the UK as a strategic partner, and regardless of the UK leaving the EU, bilateral relations between the two countries would “flourish”.145 Mrs Szydło also said that Poland would seek to “broaden and deepen these relations in the future”.146

144 Prime Minister’s Office, ‘PM and Prime Minister Beata Szydło Statements: 28 November 2016’, 28 November 2016. 145 ibid. 146 ibid.

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22. Portugal

EU Member Since: 1 January 1986

Population (2015): 10,374,822 (2 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 21

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 1999)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €179.379 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 March 1995)147

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State148 Head of Government149 Name: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (President) Antonio Luis Santos da Costa (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: President directly elected by Following legislative elections last absolute majority popular vote in held in October 2015, the leader of two rounds if needed. the majority party or majority coalition was appointed prime minister by the President. Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 9 March 2016 (last elected 24 Since 24 November 2015 January 2016)

Unicameral150 Name: Assembleia da Republica / Assembly of the Republic Members: 230 Appointment Mechanism: 22 multi-member constituencies. Includes four members representing Portuguese citizens living abroad. Closed party-list system, with proportional representation based on the d’Hondt method; each list must bear as many names as there are seats to be filled in the constituency. Electors may only vote for one list. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 4 October 2015

147 European Union, ‘Portugal’, accessed 27 March 2017. 148 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Portugal’, accessed 27 March 2017. 149 ibid. 150 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Portugal: Assembleia da Republica (Assembly of the Republic)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 22: UK Exports to and Imports from Portugal in Goods and Services, 2015

1197 Services 2530

1269 Goods 2407

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Speaking on 11 October 2016, Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, was quoted as saying that Portugal wanted a close relationship with the UK both bilaterally and in terms of the UK’s relationship with the EU.151 Describing what he termed “red lines”, Mr Costa said that if freedom of movement were restricted it would mean that the UK would not be granted access to the single market.152 Mr Costa also said that Portugal hoped for a “separation [which] is amicable” but it was looking to attract companies due to its geographic location, English- speaking talent pool and proximity to London.153

151 Bloomberg, ‘Portuguese Prime Minister Says UK Ties Will Weather Brexit’, 11 October 2016. 152 ibid. 153 ibid.

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23. Romania

EU Member Since: 1 January 2007

Population (2015): 19,870,647 (3.9 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 32

Currency: Romanian Leu

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €160.353 billion

Schengen Area Member: No154

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State155 Head of Government156 Name: Klaus Werner Iohannis (President) Sorin Mihai Grindeanu (Prime Minister)157 Appointment Mechanism: President directly elected by Prime minister appointed by the absolute majority popular vote in President with consent of Parliament. two rounds if needed. Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 21 December 2014 (last Since January 2017158 elected 2 and 16 November 2014)

Lower House159 Upper House160 Name: Camera Deputatilor / Chamber of Senatul / Senate Deputies Members: 329 136 Appointment Mechanism: 41 constituencies at county level 41 constituencies at county level (one constituency per county) for (one constituency per county) for 279 seats. One constituency in 121 seats. One constituency in Bucharest for 29 seats. One Bucharest for 13 seats. One constituency abroad for four seats. constituency abroad for two seats. Elected by proportional Elected by proportional representation (list PR). Up to 18 representation (list PR). additional seats are available for representatives of legally established national minorities if they do not win any seats in either chamber of parliament.

154 European Union, ‘Romania’, accessed 27 March 2017. 155 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Fact Book: Romania’, accessed 27 March 2017. 156 ibid. 157 Government of Romania, ‘Ministers of the Romanian Government’, accessed 3 April 2017. 158 BBC News, ‘Romania profile: Leaders’, 3 February 2017. 159 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Romania: Camera Deputatilor (Chamber of Deputies)’, accessed 27 March 2017. 160 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database: Romania: Senatul (Senate)’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Lower House159 Upper House160 Term Length 4 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 11 December 2016 11 December 2016

Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 23: UK Exports to and Imports from Romania in Goods and Services, 2015

713 Services 469

991 Goods 1569

0 500 1000 1500 2000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Responding to the UK’s vote to leave the EU, Romanian Minister-delegate for European Affairs, Ana Birchall, stated that it was important for the EU to channel its “attention on strengthening unity, cohesion, and solidarity, on the successful implementation of our available mechanisms and instruments”.161 The press release accompanying her comments explained that Romania sought a fair and manageable approach to the negotiation on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and that the UK should maintain a partnership with the EU:

Regarding our country’s contribution, the Minister Delegate for European Affairs mentioned the fact that Romania’s objective is managing this complex process in a fair and predictable manner, according to the provisions in the Union Treaties, and also in accordance with the national interests. It is especially important to maintain a privileged, partnership relation between the EU and Great Britain, considering our shared interests, be it in relation to the economy, or the consolidation of the security environment.162

Ana Birchall also stated that the rights of Romania’s citizens in the UK “should not be affected by Great Britain exiting from the EU”.163

161 Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ‘The Participation of the Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Ana Birchall, at the “Brexit: Current Status and Outlook” Debate’, 24 February 2017. 162 ibid. 163 ibid.

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24. Slovakia

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 5,421,349 (1.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 13

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 2009)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €78.071 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (21 December 2007)164

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State165 Head of Government166 Name: Andrej Kiska (President) Robert Fico (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Directly elected by absolute majority Following National Council elections, popular vote in two rounds. the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the President. Term Length 5 years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 15 June 2014 (last elected 15 Since 4 April 2012 and 29 March 2014)

Unicameral167 Name: Narodna rada Slovenskej republiky / National Council Members: 150 Appointment Mechanism: Proportional, closed party list system using Hagenbach Bischoff method and greatest remainders calculation for leftover seats. Each elector can cast four preferential votes for candidates with respect to the same list. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 5 March 2016

164 European Union, ‘Slovakia’, accessed 27 March 2017. 165 Central Intelligence Agency ‘World Factbook: Slovakia’, accessed 27 March 2017. 166 ibid. 167 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database on National Parliaments: Slovakia, National Council’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 24: UK Exports to and Imports from Slovakia in Goods and Services, 2015

423 Services 218

449 Goods 2040

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

In a tweet posted on the day after the UK’s EU referendum, Slovakian President, Andrej Kiska, stated that Slovakia’s EU “integration is hurt by Brexit, not defeated”.168 He stated that “our job now is to fix the EU as a unique place of solidarity prosperity and security”.169

On 18 September 2016, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said in an interview that during negotiations his “most important” demand would be for the “equal treatment” of his citizens in Britain if they were to access the single market.170

168 Andrej Kiska, ‘Personal Twitter Account’, 24 June 2016. 169 ibid. 170 Alex Barker and Henry Foy, ‘Slovakia says Europe Will Make Brexit ‘Very Painful’ for UK’, Financial Times (£), 18 September 2016.

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25. Slovenia

EU Member Since: 1 May 2004

Population (2015): 2,062,874 (0.4 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 8

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 2007)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €38.543 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 21 December 2007)171

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State172 Head of Government173 Name: Borut Pahor (President) Miro Cerar (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Absolute majority popular vote. Following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually nominated prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly. Term Length 5 Years – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: Since 22 December 2012 (last Since 18 September 2014 elected 11 November and 2 December 2012)

Lower House174 Upper House175 Name: Drzavbi Zbor / National Assembly Drzavni Svet / National Council Members: 90 40 Appointment Mechanism: Proportional representation using 22 single-member constituencies for the simple quotient and the elections of the representatives of preferential system (simple majority local interests. The elections of the preferential vote for the two representatives of functional Deputies representing the Italian and interests are carried out in electoral Hungarian communities). assemblies by electors, elected by interest groups in accordance with their rules.

171 European Union, ‘Slovenia’, accessed 27 March 2017. 172 Central Intelligence Agency ‘World Factbook: Slovenia’, accessed 27 March 2017. 173 ibid. 174 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database on National Parliaments: Slovenia National Assembly’, accessed 27 March 2017. 175 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database on National Parliaments: Slovenia National Council’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Lower House174 Upper House175 Term Length 4 years 5 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 13 July 2014 21 November 2012

Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 25: UK Exports to and Imports from Slovenia in Goods and Services, 2015

95 Services 75

203 Goods 332

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar has stated that he “respects but also regrets” the UK’s decision leave the EU,176 adding that “Slovenia certainly remains strongly committed to further enhancement of the European Union”.177

Miro Cerar has also said that a unified and coherent approach of the EU was needed to take part in negotiations with the UK, and that the UK leaving the EU must not divide the remaining 27 member countries.178

176 Government of the Republic of Slovenia, ‘Miro Cerar: For a Unified and Strong European Union’, 1 July 2016. 177 ibid. 178 Government of the Republic of Slovenia, ‘PM Miro Cerar with EU Leaders on Migration and Security’, 16 December 2016.

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26. Spain

EU Member Since: 1 January 1999

Population (2015): 46,449,565 (9.1 percent of EU total)

Number of MEPs: 54

Currency: Euro (since 1 January 1999)

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €1.081 trillion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 26 March 1995)179

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State180 Head of Government181 Name: Felipe VI of Spain (Monarch) Mariano Rajoy Brey (Prime Minister) Appointment Mechanism: Hereditary Following legislative elections, the Spanish monarch nominates a candidate for the presidency, who is then indirectly elected by the Congress of Deputies Term Length – – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 19 June 2014 Since 20 December 2011

Lower House182 Upper House183 Name: Congress of Deputies Senate Members: 350 266 Appointment Mechanism: 50 multi-member (minimum two seats per province directly elected, the rest allotted according to population) and two single-member constituencies (North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla—filled by the “next-in-line” candidate). Term Length 4 years 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 26 June 2016 21 November 2012

179 European Union, ‘Spain’, accessed 27 March 2017. 180 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Factbook: Spain’, accessed 27 March 2017. 181 ibid. 182 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database on National Parliaments: Spain, Congress of Deputies’, accessed 27 March 2017. 183 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database on National Parliaments: Spain, Senate’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 26: UK Exports to and Imports from Spain in Goods and Services, 2015

5711 Services 10644

8910 Goods 14079

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

At a news conference on 24 January 2017, the Spanish Prime Minster, Mariano Rajoy, stated that the UK withdrawing from the EU was a “serious threat” due to the direct economic relations between the UK and Spain.184 However, Mr Rajoy also stated that the Spanish Government would work to ensure that the UK leaving the EU created the “fewest number of problems to British and Spanish citizens, and take place in the most orderly fashion possible”.185 In June 2016, the Spanish Government called for joint sovereignty over Gibraltar in the wake of the UK’s vote to leave the EU.186

184 Government of Spain, ‘Dialogue is a Political Imperative and an Unavoidable Necessity’, 24 January 2017. 185 ibid. 186 BBC News, ‘Brexit: Spain Calls for Joint Control of Gibraltar’, 24 June 2016.

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27. Sweden

EU Member Since: 1 January 1995

Population (2015): 9,747,355 (1.9 percent of total)

Number of MEPs: 20

Currency: Swedish Krona

Gross Domestic Product (2015): €444.235 billion

Schengen Area Member: Yes (since 25 March 2001)187

Constitutional and Parliamentary Arrangements

Head of State188 Head of Government189 Name: Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Stefan Löfven (Prime Minister) (Monarch) Appointment Mechanism: Hereditary Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition become the prime minister. Term Length – – (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 19 September 1973 Since 3 October 2014

Unicameral190 Name: Riksdagen / Parliament Members: 349 Appointment Mechanism: For 310 of the seats there are 29 multi–member constituencies (two to 34 seats each). Seats are proportionally distributed according to the modified Sainte-Laguë method. The remaining 39 seats are allotted by the system of full proportional representation based on the votes obtained nationwide. Term Length 4 years (where defined): Last Election / Appointment: 14 September 2014

187 European Union, ‘Sweden’, accessed 27 March 2017. 188 Central Intelligence Agency, ‘World Factbook: Sweden’, accessed 27 March 2017. 189 ibid. 190 Inter-Parliamentary Union, ‘Parline Database on National Parliaments: Sweden, Parliament’, accessed 27 March 2017.

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Trade with the United Kingdom

Chart 27: UK Exports to and Imports from Sweden in Goods and Services, 2015

4102 Services 3300

4440 Goods 6972

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 £ million Export Import

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Tables 9.4 and 9.5: Geographical Breakdown of the Current Account, The Pink Book: 2016’, 29 July 2016)

View on the UK Leaving the EU

Speaking the day after the UK voted to leave the EU, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said that Sweden respected the UK’s decision and that the UK would remain an important partner for Sweden “in its new role outside the EU”.191 At a meeting in January 2017 with Germany’s Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Löfven also stated that Sweden needed to safeguard the future of the EU but also “ensure good relations with the UK”.192 The following month, in an interview, Mr Löfven described a UK-EU deal within two years as “optimistic”, that striking a good agreement would be a struggle and that the UK would have to pay its commitments, saying “you first negotiate on how to make the exit, and then you have the other discussions”.193 However, he felt that security cooperation remained important: “we need to look into the security issue—combating terrorism, but also military, to see what we can do to increase our security in this rather difficult times now”.

191 Government Offices of Sweden, ‘Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on the Results of the Referendum in the United Kingdom’, 24 June 2016. 192 Government Offices of Sweden, ‘Hopes of Stronger EU Cooperation on Security, Climate and Migration’, 26 January 2017. 193 Jill Lawless, ‘AP Interview: Sweden PM: Brexit Deal in 2 years ‘Very Tough’’, AP News, 17 February 2017.

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Appendix

This Appendix presents data drawn from Office for National Statistics (ONS) publications ‘What Information is there on British Migrants Living in Europe?: Jan 2017’ (27 January 2017, see Table 1 of this publication), and ‘Population of the UK by Country of Birth and Nationality: 2015’ (25 August 2016, see Table 2 of this publication). Table 1 is drawn from data for 2011 but the ONS explains it still represents the best estimate of British citizens living in the EU (see section below). Table 2 presents data drawn from the Annual Population Survey and represents the most up-to-date data on EU citizens living in the UK published by the ONS.

Notes on the Data

Table 1 presents data on British citizens living in Europe in 2011.

These data were compiled by the ONS but drawn from Eurostat’s Census Hub.194 Eurostat collected data from each EU member states’ 2010 to 2011 census.195 Whilst the data are from 2011 the ONS argue that there are several reasons why they represent the best estimate of British citizens living in the EU:

 They are available for all countries in the EU and EFTA.

 They are rigorously collected and verified.

 They are one of the only sources of data using the “citizenship” definition.

 They are rich data, which allow further demographic analysis of British citizens living in the EU.

 The counts measured in 2011 are not greatly different to those that exist today; where countries have more recent data, this has been checked and no major differences are apparent.196

The ONS explains that the data is based on ‘residents’ who have stayed, or plan to stay, in the host country for twelve months or longer:

This means that short-term migrants and circular migrants (for example, repeated migration between locations, such as British citizens who spend part of the year in the EU and part of the year in the UK) are not counted. Any British citizens who spend only part of the year living in the EU are not counted in these data.197

Eurostat approaches the issue of dual citizenship in a particular way. Eurostat selects one citizenship based on the following hierarch:

 Citizenship of reporting country.

194 Office for National Statistics, ‘What Information is there on British Migrants Living in Europe?: Jan 2017’, 27 January 2017. 195 These censuses are a mixture of questionnaire census, register-based (administrative data) censuses and combined (register and survey) censuses. 196 Office for National Statistics, ‘What Information is there on British Migrants Living in Europe?: Jan 2017’, 27 January 2017. 197 ibid.

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 Other EU member state citizenship.

 non-EU member state citizenship.

The ONS explains the effect of this on the data in Table 1:

This means that a person with both French and British citizenship, living in France, is not counted as British in these data. This definition is relevant for identifying those citizens who do not have citizenship of another EU state to use when the UK exits the EU.198

Table 2 presents data on EU citizens resident in the UK for 2015.

These data are collated by the ONS and drawn from the Annual Population Survey (APS):

Estimates of the population of the UK by country of birth and nationality are based upon data from the Annual Population Survey (APS). The APS, which began in 2004, is a continuous survey, comprising the Labour Force Survey (LFS), supplemented by sample boosts in England, Wales and Scotland to ensure small areas are sufficiently sampled. The APS is a survey of households in the UK, so does not include most communal establishments.199

It should be noted that the APS assigns nationality differently to Eurostat. In the APS when asked for a persons’ nationality their first answer is recorded. These data also only include those living in private households and omits those living in most types of communal establishments.

The data presented in Table 2 has corresponding confidence intervals. The ONS explain that in a survey:

A 95 percent confidence interval is a range within which the true population would fall for 95 percent of the times the sample survey was repeated. It is a standard way of expressing the statistical accuracy of a survey based estimate. If an estimate has a high error level, the corresponding confidence interval will be very wide.200

198 Office for National Statistics, ‘What Information is there on British Migrants Living in Europe?: Jan 2017’, 27 January 2017. 199 Office for National Statistics, ‘Population of the UK by Country of Birth and Nationality: 2015’, 25 August 2016. 200 Office for National Statistics, ‘Confidence Intervals’, accessed 30 March 2017.

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Table 1: Number of British Citizens Living in EU 27 Countries, 2011

Country of Residence Total Spain 308,805 France 157,062 Ireland 112,090 Germany 96,200 Netherlands201 41,373 Belgium 24,975 Cyprus 24,046 Italy 22,673 Sweden 18,119 Portugal 15,774 Greece 15,388 Denmark 14,700 Austria 8,431 Malta 6,652 Luxembourg 5,480 Czech Republic 5,182 Finland 3,454 Bulgaria 2,605 Hungary 2,602 Poland 2,058 Slovakia 605 Romania202 521 Slovenia 386 Croatia 334 Estonia 310 Latvia 243 Lithuania203 231

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘What Information is there on British Migrants Living in Europe: Jan 2017’, 27 January 2017, Table 1)

201 The information comes from Statistics Netherlands’ national register and is for 2011. 202 Romania does not provide information to Eurostat. The ONS has estimated the number of British citizens living in Romania from country of birth data. Across EU8 countries there are large numbers of children born in the UK who are not British citizens. The ratio between citizenship and country of birth was calculated for the 7 EU8 countries for which both pieces of information are available. This was then applied to Romania’s country of birth data to estimate citizenship. 203 Lithuania does not provide these data to Eurostat because of confidentiality. Instead, the ONS has estimated these data from country of birth data, in the same way as is estimated for Romania.

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Table 2: Number of EU 27 Citizens Resident in the UK, 2015

Population Resident in the UK Estimate CI +/-204 Poland 916,000 43,000 Ireland 332,000 26,000 Romania 233,000 22,000 Portugal 219,000 21,000 Italy 192,000 20,000 Lithuania 170,000 19,000 France 165,000 18,000 Germany 135,000 17,000 Spain 132,000 16,000 Latvia 97,000 14,000 Slovakia 93,000 14,000 Hungary 82,000 13,000 Netherlands 81,000 13,000 Bulgaria 66,000 12,000 Greece 56,000 11,000 Czech Republic 45,000 10,000 Sweden 34,000 8,000 Denmark 30,000 8,000 Belgium 26,000 7,000 Austria 14,000 5,000 Cyprus 13,000 5,000 Finland 10,000 4,000 Estonia 8,000 4,000 Malta 5,000 3,000 Croatia 4,000 3,000 Slovenia 2,000 2,000 Luxembourg205 – –

(Source: Office for National Statistics, ‘Population by Country of Birth and Nationality’, 25 August 2016)

204 CI +/- is the upper (+) and lower (-) 95 percent confidence limits. It is defined as: 1.96 x standard error. If the confidence interval is higher than the estimate, it is not considered reliable for practical purposes. 205 Not available due to disclosure content.

House of Lords Library Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of the House of Lords and their personal staff, to provide impartial, politically balanced briefing on subjects likely to be of interest to Members of the Lords. Authors are available to discuss the contents of the Notes with the Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public.

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