Prime minister: We must prepare for hard Brexit

Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Smer-SD) was saddened to learn of the results of Tuesday's (January 15) vote by the British Parliament on the Brexit deal and believes that the EU must prepare itself for the possibility of a hard Brexit without agreement. He posted this on his social media network page after the UK Parliament rejected the Brexit deal brokered by Theresa May's Government. He stated that Slovakia needs to seek solutions "aimed at cushioning the negative impacts of Brexit, particularly for individuals and entrepreneurs." Although a no-deal Brexit would have a bad impact on everyone involved, it is now the most likely outcome, according to political analyst Grigorij Mesežnikov of the Institute for Public Affairs. The opposition Freedom and Solidarity Party, on the other hand, regards the reopening of negotiations as the most realistic option. "I believe we have not exhausted all the possibilities for finding a mutually acceptable agreement," said Martin Klus, an MP for the party. In his view, agreement should be sought even if this lengthens the whole Brexit process and thus complicates European Parliament elections.