German Reactions to Brexit Continue Years Later
More than seven years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, reactions to Brexit continue to resonate across Europe, particularly in Germany. While initial responses in 2016 were marked by shock and disappointment, a complex mix of sentiments – ranging from regret to wry observation – persists.
In the immediate aftermath of the 2016 referendum, German news magazine SPIEGEL famously pleaded with the British people to remain in the EU, displaying the cover headline “Please don’t go.” This sentiment, as reported by the University of Birmingham, reflected a widespread hope that Britain would reconsider its decision. “Hope is the last to die,” a well-known German saying, encapsulated the prevailing feeling at the time.
However, as Brexit became a reality, German responses evolved. In December 2018, Terry Reintke, a German Member of the European Parliament (MEP), recreated a famous scene from the film *Love Actually* in a video message to the UK. The video, detailed by Indy100, featured Reintke holding up handwritten cards expressing her continued affection for Britain, despite the impending departure. She wrote, “I still love you. In fact, most of us do. Merry Christmas. May Europe be a peaceful place – for you and me and our children and grandchildren.” The gesture was intended as a message of goodwill, acknowledging that Brexit would be “an unmitigated disaster.”
Reintke’s video garnered mixed reactions, with many supporting her message, while others expressed sadness or embarrassment. Some argued that leaving the EU did not equate to leaving the European continent entirely. The video itself was noted as being superior to the original scene it parodied, which some found awkward and unsettling.
German public figures also weighed in on the Brexit outcome. Henning Wehland, reacting to the results on Twitter in 2016, described the situation as “We are only at the beginning of the end of the world.” Klaas Heufer-Umlauf simply stated, “It’s to cry for,” while Joko Winterscheidt expressed resignation with “No words.” Lilly Becker characterized Brexit as a “catastrophe,” expressing concern about the uncertainty it would create.
Humor also played a role in processing the news. Indira Weis tweeted, “Funny that the Brexit voters actually believe that their situation will improve now. But as long as the beer doesn’t stop flowing…” Patrice Bouedibela offered a satirical comparison, stating, “Brexit is like farting in the elevator so that the others leave, but suddenly the elevator gets stuck and you’re stuck in it!”
Rappers Eko Fresh and Sido also shared their perspectives. Fresh commented, “The grumpy old men have decided, now live with it,” while Sido offered a blunt assessment: “Oh, let them all leave the EU. Then we Germans will simply reunite Europe ourselves, as before.”
As of February 2026, the long-term consequences of Brexit continue to unfold. Former EU president Donald Tusk’s comment in January 2025, reported on YouTube, that “We still miss you,” suggests a lingering sense of regret within the European Union. Champions of Brexit, however, maintain that it has allowed the UK to eliminate 600 EU regulations.
The initial shock and disappointment felt by many in Germany have given way to a more nuanced understanding of the situation. While the economic and political ramifications of Brexit are still being assessed, the emotional response remains palpable, as evidenced by the continued commentary and creative expressions from German public figures.
Recent commentary from Financial Times suggests that, paradoxically, former US President Donald Trump’s policies are “making Europe great again,” a sentiment that adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussion about the UK’s relationship with the continent and the wider world.
