Brexit triggers surge in support for EU as Eurosceptic nations seek to avoid UK's 'mess'

The front page of Danish newspaper Berlingske on Tuesday, following Nigel Farage’s resignation as Ukip leader
@harveywilks/Twitter
Tom Marshall5 July 2016

Britain’s vote for Brexit has triggered a surge in support for the EU in traditionally Eurosceptic countries seeking to avoid the "mess" the UK has been left in.

Many predicted that the UK’s decision to leave the bloc would inspire calls for similar referendums in Nordic countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Finland, which are traditionally among the most lukewarm about their EU membership.

But polls show the EU is enjoying a swell of support in the region, especially in Denmark where 69 per cent of Danes now back membership – up from 59.8 per cent before the vote.

Marlene Wind, a professor in political science at the University of Copenhagen, told Bloomberg that the vote had been a "wake-up call across Europe".

She added: “Nobody wants to put themselves in the kind of mess the British have created for themselves.”

The figures, from a poll by Voxmeter, also show support for holding a referendum in Denmark had fallen to 32 per cent, down from 40.7 per cent.

It comes as the nation’s oldest daily newspaper, Berlingske, published a front page playing on the decisions of David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage to step aside following the Leave vote, under the headline: “Brexit? Not our problem!”

Thousands join 'March for Europe' Brexit protest

Meanwhile, support in Finland for EU membership rose sharply from 56 to 68 per cent after the Brexit vote, another poll showed.

And in Sweden, backing for the union was up from 49 per cent to 52 per cent - meaning it is now the majority view - according to a third survey.

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