A barrister in France launches legal action against Brexit, saying it is illegal

A barrister in France launches legal action against Brexit, saying it is illegal

World Unknown   10:21

More trouble stirs in the atmosphere as a French legal expert files a legal action to prove the illegality of the Brexit Referendum

Several British nationals residing in France who were restrained from voting during the referendum as a result of the ’15-year’ have been spoken to by Julien Fouchet, of Cornille-Pouyanne avocats based in Bordeaux, with respect to have such a decision might have affected their lives and rights.

The barrister claimed he is not against Brexit, however, he is of the opinion that another referendum should be organised, so that all British adults can participate.

He said: “A lot of people have explained their situation – that they have been in France a long time and could not vote, and they encouraged me.

“Now, I’ve been writing to them all and I have explained that if they want to help as much as possible they could take legal action with me; but I’ve not had much response to that so far.

“People have given their experiences but don’t necessarily want to go to court.”

He also said: “Personally I am doing this out of European solidarity, not to enrich myself."

Nevertheless, he is likely to face a hard task in trying to convince the General Court of the EU to accept his case.

In the meantime, he said he is preparing an English translation of his letter that he will also be sending to those who got in touch to help clarify the French legal terms.

Brussels angry as Britain set to boycott Brexit meeting to be addressed by Guy Verhofstadt

Brussels angry as Britain set to boycott Brexit meeting to be addressed by Guy Verhofstadt

Politics Unknown   09:42

A hearing put together by the European Parliament to look into the consequences the UK’s exit on EU citizens residing in the UK set to be snubbed by the British Government.

The hearing tagged ‘The situation and rights of EU citizens in the UK’ is to be addressed by Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt today along with Anne-Laure Donskoy, who co-chairs the 3 million campaigning for the rights of EU citizens living in the UK.

According to a draft programme released last week, “representatives of the UK Home Office” are also going to be in that meeting, being put together by Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) as well as the Petitions and the Employment and Social Affairs committees.

Nevertheless an update of the programme does not include any reference to the UK representatives. And “no futher explanation was given” for their decision not to participate.

Thus Sophie in ‘t Veld a MEP and LIBE committee stated to politico that she such a decision as a snub.

She said: “It’s disappointing but not surprising. It’s a sign of how they really feel about citizens.”

A letter was sent to the PM in February by Ms in ‘t Veld together with other MEPs requesting her to bring to an end any bureaucratic red tape of EU nationals living in the UK and to guarantee their rights.

Unsatisfied with the response, Ms in ’t Veld set up a task force to look at cases where EU citizens had faced what she described as a “bureaucratic wall”.

She said: “The tone of that letter was absolutely ridiculous. It was a sign of how insensitive and careless they are about people.”

A spokesperson for the Home Office said that they had received the Parliament’s invitation to attend the hearing but would not confirm whether they planned to send anyone to the event.

Even though the Parliament will have no straight participation in the Brexit discussions, it does have the final power of veto over the final withdrawal deal in a simple majority vote which comes up after all the remaining 27 member countries have validated it.

Expectations are MEPs will make some efforts to disrupt proceeding or at least try to slow things down by issuing political resolutions as talks proceed.

Man finds giant tarantula on the street of Leicester

Man finds giant tarantula on the street of Leicester

News Unknown   08:30

A giant tarantula which as large as the hand of a human being has been discovered in one of the streets in Leicester.

The creature also known as the salmon pink Brazilian bird-eating spider, can grow to a leg-span of 10 inches, was to be abandoned in a plastic box in Narborough Road.

Commenting on about the creature, the RSPCA man who found the it, thought to be the third-largest species of tarantula, was someone who has a phobia for spiders and had been "understandably shaken" by the discovery.

According to Steve Smith, animal collection officer, presumed the giant spider was to be an unwanted pet which was abandoned by its owner who may have struggled to look after it.

He said: "We would recommend that anyone interested in keeping a tarantula as a pet thoroughly research the particular species' needs carefully first before deciding to get one, so they know what is involved and how long it is likely to be for."

Mr Smith said that despite its size, the spider was "not aggressive at all". As a specialist is now taking care of the spider.

Salmon pink Brazilian bird-eating spiders, or lasiodora parahybana, have pink hairs growing on their legs and are found in the tropical rain forests of eastern Brazil.

Despite its name, the species only rarely eats birds, preferring mostly insects it captures on the forest floor as well as lizards, frogs and mice.

Animal charities have warned of rising numbers of exotic pets being abandoned in the UK, often after they are given as presents.

It is not the first time a Brazilian spider has turned up unexpectedly. In 2015, a Bristol man received one in the post, meant for the previous owners of his house.

In 2013, a man had a tarantula confiscated after he tried to take it into a court in Kent.

Larissa Waters breastfeeds her baby on the floor of the Australian Parliament

Larissa Waters breastfeeds her baby on the floor of the Australian Parliament

Politics Unknown   08:15

Senator Larissa Waters of Australia makes a landmark political history after breastfeeding on the floor of the country’s federal parliament. This coming about a year after she helped in making some changes to breastfeeding rules.

Senator Waters who just resumed duty after giving birth to her daughter, whose name is given as Alia Joy, and was forced to do what she did because her baby was hungry.

The 40-year-old mother took to twitter to express her pride, saying: “So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be breastfed in the federal parliament! We need more women and parents in parliament.”

She also used the opportunity to call for more family-friendly and flexible workplaces and affordable childcare for everyone.

Her colleague Katy Gallagher said: “Women have been doing it in parliaments around the world. It is great to see it is able to occur now in the senate.

“Women are going to continue to have babies and if they want to do their job and be at work and look after their baby, the reality is that we are going to have to accommodate that.”

It was also reported in 2016 that an Icelandic MP breastfed her baby while she was speaking at the national parliament.

Eight years ago, the Greens Australian senator Sarah Hanson-Young had her two-year-old daughter taken out of the Australian Parliament.

The Lib Dem MP and equalities minister, Jo Swinson, has said that it is “bizarre” that MPs are banned from taking their babies into the Commons in the UK.

A study on tackling sexism in parliament said that breast-feeding should be allowed in the House of Commons to encourage firms to have more “family friendly” policies.

Facebook make frantic efforts to stop fake news

Facebook make frantic efforts to stop fake news

News Unknown   08:06

In its current effort to tackle the proliferation of fake news, social media giant, Facebook is now turning to newspapers.

According to a press release, Facebook will make some adverts in British newspapers from this week Monday advising users to be "sceptical of headlines" and check other reports on the same subject before believing a story.

This effort comes after the public condemned social network for failing on their part to deal with the spread of fake news on its platform.

Last month Facebook placed a notice on its users' news feeds warning about fake news, after claims that fake stories supporting Donald Trump may have helped him win the US election.

According to Simon Milner, the tech firm's director of policy in the UK: "People want to see accurate information on Facebook and so do we.

"That is why we are doing everything we can to tackle the problem of false news.

"We have developed new ways to identify and remove fake accounts that might be spreading false news so that we get to the root of the problem."

Mr Milner said Facebook was working with fact-checking organisations to analyse content around the General Election.

"To help people spot false news we are showing tips to everyone on Facebook on how to identify if something they see is false," he said.

"We can't solve this problem alone so we are supporting third party fact checkers during the election in their work with news organisations, so they can independently assess facts and stories."

Last week, Facebook said it was looking to hire an extra 3,000 staff to combat extremist and distressing content, especially in videos.

The EU will be digging their own grave, if they failed to reach a deal with the UK – Professor Minford

The EU will be digging their own grave, if they failed to reach a deal with the UK – Professor Minford

World Unknown   08:02

An economist analyst has warned the EU that failure to reach a deal with the UK could result to an overwhelming recession within the continent, reason being that the UK has an upper hand in the Brexit talks billed to commence June.

Professor Patrick Minford speaking further, also predicted that due to the huge debt owed by Greece, the recession would collapse due to colossal fall in tourism and tariffs imposed on the country’s exports.

Because of the fear of losing other member nations, the EU is pressing towards a ferociously hard hard Brexit negotiations in order to protect the union.

Speaking to express.co.uk he said: “The people who have got the most to lose from not having a deal with the UK are the Europeans.

“They are going to do themselves a lot of damage. They’ve just come out of recession, they don’t need a recessionary shock like this any more than one needs a hole in the head.

“The banking system there is as rickety as hell and they are stuffed to the gills with government debt.

“The whole situation is very fragile and it just needs a shock pushing it back into recession to make it quite a mess, and the euro would fall in those circumstances.”

Also in his conclusion, he stated that: “So all this talk of punishing Britain is very silly and very immature. This really looks like an own goal from their point of view.”

Speaking further, he said: “The Greece problem isn’t going away, but it’s not getting any worse for now.

“But a blow which knocks their exports is potentially quite a recessionary impact and the particular impact in Greece could be very significant because it’s always teetering on the edge of chaos because of the way they’ve treated it.”

Prof Minford, who does not believe any other countries will leave the EU said: “If we don’t get a deal with the EU we’ll be in a perfectly good position as we’ll simply free trade with the rest of the world.

“For them the big problem is actually that we go to no deal and we have free trade with the rest of the world.

“They will find this is a very competitive market indeed and they will sell far less in it because stuff will be coming in from the rest of the world without those protectionist barriers.”

Saying the election of Emmanuel Macron was a good thing for the Brexit talks, he added: “We do want a strong Europe, we’d like them to sort themselves out. It’s not in our interests to have them falling apart at all.”   

Michael Barnier beg to reset Brexit negotiation button after being condemned for his misconduct against Theresa May

Michael Barnier beg to reset Brexit negotiation button after being condemned for his misconduct against Theresa May

World Unknown   08:36

After days of several backlash from some European leaders against Michael Barnier for his misconduct against the British government after having a dinner meeting with the PM at No. 10 Downing Street, the EU Brexit negotiator has made an urgent move to reset negotiation button.

Though he is still putting the blame of his misconduct on Britain, the EU Chief negotiator stressed that it was time to start afresh.

Leaked reports suggested how the European Commission chief Jean Claude-Juncker was scornful of Theresa May after their dinner meeting last week.

While delivering a speech at the European University Institute “State of the Union” conference, Mr Barnier stated that Brexit - and the choice made by the UK - is the only thing to blame for the breakdown in relationships.

Mr Barnier also understood that the Cameron’s administration which opened borders for new EU nations in 2004 fermented the taste for immigration in Britain.

He suggested saying: “Let’s turn the page together in mutual respect and find solutions together.”

He said: “We will not discuss our future relationship with the UK until the 27 member states are reassured that all citizens will be treated properly and humanely.

“Otherwise, there can be no trust when it comes to constructing a new relationship with the UK.

“And I know, for this new partnership with the UK to be solid and to be sustainable, we have together to build it on the base on mutual trust.”

Speaking further, he said: “The integrity of the single market will never ever be compromised during these negotiations. “Free movement of people is at the heart of EU citizenship.”

According to Barnier’s believe, Britain would be worst hit if it prevents EU nationals from being part of its labour market, as he gave instance of how 1 in 15 job applicants in supermarkets are British citizens. And that there is going to be about 60,000 hospitality vacancies pro-Brexit which would be hard to fill.

Nonetheless, the PM and her Brexit team is yet to reveal what rights EU citizens working in Britain will have.

Notwithstanding his insistence that both parties need to begin again and communicate peacefully, he went on to maintain the EU must be given certain assurances before talks can begin seriously. Stating that its citizens will be “properly and humanely” treated by the UK.

The EU maintained they want equal rights for all EU nationals in the UK, as well “protection for the lifetime of the citizens who are concerned”.

Mr Juncker however said the English language is “losing importance in Europe” as he accused the UK of “abandoning” the EU. 

BREXIT BOMBSHELL: Economic crisis looms in Germany is 200,000 bankers relocates from the UK

BREXIT BOMBSHELL: Economic crisis looms in Germany is 200,000 bankers relocates from the UK

World Unknown   07:22

It has been revealed by a senior banker in Germany that Europe is on the brink of becoming entrapped in battle should 200,000 bankers relocate from London post-Brexit.

This was made known to Bloomberg News by a member of board at Deutsche Bundesbank Andreas Dombret, warning that banks had to be "very, very, very careful" as Brexit nears. The warning was issued after it was predicted that about 200,000 banker "could flee" London if the City loses passport rights after Brexit.

In a similar vein, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs have announced plans this week to transfer hundreds of their London staff to Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Dublin.

The banker said: "We have to be very very very careful that we don’t have a regularity race in the eurozone with one country trying to market its financial centre over others and making promises it cannot keep.

"We need to resolve this - or else this presents a major stability risk for Germany."

This scenario would mean a fight between EU countries to be the financial capital of the continent.

However, Mr Dombret confirmed that London "will remain an important financial centre and a big proportion of their HR force will stay". 

Theresa May still determined to cut net migration to the tens of thousand despite her party's failure on the issue

Theresa May still determined to cut net migration to the tens of thousand despite her party's failure on the issue

World Unknown   06:51

Despite their inability to meet their net immigration target to date, former Home Secretary and now British Prime Minister Theresa May has once again reassured the British people that her party is still on course in trying to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands”.

It was very obvious that the issue of immigration was the major factor that made the British people to vote in favour of Brexit, thus several leave voters have welcomed the Tories promise regarding the issue.

During an interview with the Home Secretary, she was asked if the “tens of thousands” figure that appeared in the 2015 manifesto would be repeated in the 2017 document, she said: “It’s not going to be identical to the last one. We’re setting it out for hopefully a five year term, we’ve got a lot to think through to work out what’s the best way to deliver on our priorities.

"My personal view is we need to continue to bring immigration down.

"I want to make sure that we do it in a way that supports businesses - you know we're ending freedom of movement when we leaving the European Union.

"So the situation from that time the [2015] manifesto... has changed because we're leaving the European Union, so it's right that we look at it again."

Though some fears were raised by various businesses that such a measure is likely to bring about labour shortage in certain key sectors of the British economy, but Ms Rudd said firms should “do more” to try to hire workers from the UK.

Earlier this year it emerged that just one in 50 of the applications received by sandwich chain Pret a Manger were from applicants from the UK.

Moreover, in March, the company told a committee of MPs that they could face a labour shortage after Brexit but last month, the firm’s chief executive Clive Schlee said a new drive to hire British workers had shown “very encouraging” results.

Ms Rudd said: "I did hear that Pret a Manger had come out and said it's absolutely essential for us to have European workers because if we don't we're going to have to make more of an effort to recruit in the UK.

"Well, good I'd quite like them to make more of an effort to recruit in the UK. So we will be trying to push them as well to do more in the UK. Them and all business so that we make sure we look after people who are otherwise unemployed in the UK better.” 

Legal expert advises Theresa May to file a legal action Brussels regarding the controversial Brexit divorce bill

Legal expert advises Theresa May to file a legal action Brussels regarding the controversial Brexit divorce bill

World Unknown   06:05

Due to the huge financial divorce bill being demanded by the Brussels and denying the UK of taking any part of the EU’s asset it helped to build, the British government has been advised to “call the bluff” of Brussels and seek an independent tribunal to scrutinize the legal basis in which such demands are being made.

This piece of advice was issued by one of Tory barrister Martin Howe QC advising said: “One thing we could say is let’s agree to refer this to an international tribunal as to whether or not there is a legal claim and then it will be decided,” he said.

“It will put paid to any argument that the UK is trying to run away from or dodge its legal obligations.”

“That’s one way that the EU’s bluff could be called.”

Mr Howe, who is a founding member of Lawyers for Britain, a group of lawyers who campaigned for Britain to leave the EU in last year’s referendum, added: “My strong suspicion is that the EU side would never agree to that because they know their legal argument is completely empty.

“So saying that in practice may be just a way of calling their bluff.

“The other reason they wouldn’t agree to it is that they are desperate for the cash immediately.

“A decision five years down the line would not be appealing to them - although you can run these international arbitrations very fast if you want to and certainly within the two year period.”

The legal expert totally condemns such a huge demand which according to him has no legal basis claiming that it is “hard to see any credible basis upon which the UK could be said to be obliged” to pay for the deficit.

He further stressed his position on the issue, after Brussels raised the controversial divorce bill to about £84 billion.

“At the moment I haven’t seen anything of their legal papers explaining their claim so am relying on their public statements but from what I have heard and seen there is no obligation at all.

They add they are concerned that the EU still believe Mrs May won’t walk away in the event of a bad deal – allowing the EU to feel confident enough to ramp up the pressure.

Meanwhile, Zsolt Darvas, of thinktank Bruegel, has also said that the final demand may be far less than the amounts suggested, but then would still be in the tens of billions. The money is said to be owed because of projects Britain committed to which run until 2025. As he said not paying  a penny would make a trade deal practically impossible.

“I can’t see the EU singing a free trade agreement with the UK under those circumstances,” said Mr Darvas.

However, if Britain did end up contributing until 2025, it would entitle it to remain in the single market until that date.

“When you leave a club, you should have full rights during the cancellation period,” he said.

“If the UK is asked to pay the full fee, it should also benefit to single market access, maybe up to 2025.” 

Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron wins French election

Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron wins French election

Politics Unknown   05:36

Finally, after all the verbal attacks and campaigns from both sides, Marine Le Pen concedes defeat to centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron as he wins the French presidential election on Sunday to become the youngest leader in France.

Mrs Le Pen while addressing a crowd of followers in the east of Paris, sent her congratulatory message to Macron and said the people of France had voted for "continuity".

Meanwhile, Macron’s followers went in their numbers to the courtyard outside the Louvre museum in the country’s capital to receive his victory speech.

Addressing AFP, he proclaimed that a new "hopeful and confident" chapter had begun.

His triumph marks a stunning rise for the banker turned politician, who only set up his En Marche! (On the move) party last year and becomes the country's youngest ever leader.

Thus bringing about a shift in the political history of France, as the centre-right and centre-left parties begins to fall in the first round for the first time in more than 50 years, leaving Mr Macron and Ms Le Pen to fight to the finish.

Macron’s electoral victory has been welcome by the European Union as he promised to build a stronger EU integration, as against Le Pen who promised to pull France out from the bloc.

His victory makes the third time within a period of six months that voters in EU nations will reject far-right candidates after Austria and the Netherlands. And as a result will bolster the EU’s position during Brexit negotiations.

NIGERIANS STORM NEW PONZI SCHEME

NIGERIANS STORM NEW PONZI SCHEME

Unknown   08:08

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In spite of the financial loss suffered by a number of Nigerians who participated in the failed Ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox (MMM) in 2016, LegionPays, a similar scheme is making wave among many Nigerians.

Legion Pays, launched on Wednesday, 26/04/2017 has started making the wave as Nigerians troop in to participate in the successful launching of the website. Legion Pays is a peer to peer donation platform that promises a return of 200% on every donation made. They offer packages that are affordable to all their members.

A statement on their website www.legionpays.com reads "LP was instituted by a team of vibrant individuals with the sole aim to alleviate financial difficulties by creating a channel in which wealth flows between two or more parties with mutual benefits. The platform serves as a community in which people sponsor each other financially. One member asks for sponsorship - another member provides the sponsorship. The system is very simple."


After the launching on Wednesday, different testimonies have been coming in. Mr Obiora Charles, a participant of the platform commented that "I so love this platform, I paid out today and received today... Soo real !! Thanks to legion pays".

Similarly, Adebayo Vincent, an entrepeneur also said he decided to partake in LegionPays and a number of other schemes to support his business. "The money I have gotten from these schemes has been beneficial to the survival of my business in this economy".

Currently, LegionPays uses a automated pairing system which has helped those who donated yesterday to receive back their 200% investment within 24hrs, which is double profit. They also offer huge referral bonues for those who love referring their family, colleagues and team. While other Ponzi sites fade, LegionPays seems to be the next one to take their stand as they worked on the flaws of other similar schemes to bring out the trust in People. It might be worth it to take a dip inside the ocean while it is still hot. 

Trouble in Brussels as Angela Merkel strongly condemns Mr Juncker's unwholesome conduct against his meeting with Theresa May

Trouble in Brussels as Angela Merkel strongly condemns Mr Juncker's unwholesome conduct against his meeting with Theresa May

World Unknown   08:05

Confusion brews among top EU leaders as German Chancellor Angela Merkel expresses her displeasure with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker after some sensitive details of his meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May was leaked.

The leakage was made public by a German newspaper as it outlined details of the dinner meeting at No 10 Downing Street. The newspaper reported how Mr Juncker said the PM was “living in another galaxy” and claimed that he left the talks “10 times more sceptical than I was before" that a deal could be struck.

The Commission President’s conduct was strongly condemned by Mrs Merkel, who was expressing some optimism for a little or no confrontational start in Brexit negotiations.

This is because, Mrs Merkel believes that it was either Mr Juncker or his Chief of staff Martin Selmayr hinted newsmen about what was talk about in a private meeting and indicted them of ”fuelling the flames”  before Brexit talks have even got under way.

According to reports in Der Spiegel she said: “It was not particularly helpful to fuel the flames like this.”

The Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung said Mr Juncker repeated his claims that Mrs May was “from another galaxy” and his “having delusions” during a telephone call with Mrs Merkel after the confrontational Downing Street dinner date.

Thus the Prime Minister was annoyed by Juncker's statements and stressed that she was prepared to walk away from the Brexit negotiating table with no deal at all rather than a bad one.

She told the BBC she would be a “bloody difficult woman” when dealing with Mr Juncker in future talks.

She said: “During the Conservative Party leadership campaign I was described by one of my colleagues as a bloody difficult woman.

“And I said at the time the next person to find that out will be Jean-Claude Juncker.”

Mrs May has made it clear she does not want leaks about the Brexit negotiations but many doubt that such secrecy is achievable when Brexit issues affect the interests of 27 other EU countries.

Brexit Secretary David Davis accused the European Commission of "trying to bully the British people" with an £85bn divorce bill from the EU.

Mr Juncker said: "We will negotiate fairly with our British friends, but let's not forget that it is not the EU that is abandoning the UK - it is the UK that's abandoning the EU, and that makes a difference.”

Gibraltar PM fires back at Spain over its moves to undermine his people's interest during Brexit talks

Gibraltar PM fires back at Spain over its moves to undermine his people's interest during Brexit talks

World Unknown   10:21

Spanish government flabbergasted by the Prime Minister of Gibraltar as he accused them of "seeking to make a profit" over Brexit in an angry tirade.

The PM made his indignation known after the Spanish government released its plans for Brexit, which involves clamping down of its rock and economy.

In a document called ‘Negotiations on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU’ which has been sent to congress, Spain said it plans to end Gibraltar’s “privileged” existence as a “tax haven”.

How Mr Picardo has issued a serious warning to Spain, saying that Gibraltar would fire back if it carries out such a plan during Brexit negotiations, an action which would make the inhabitants of Campo de Gibraltar victims, as they cross the border on a daily basis to work in the colony.

‘Campo de Gibraltar’ is a county in the province of Cadiz, in the most southwestern part of Andalusia. At least 7,000 to 9,000 Spaniards leave Campo de Gibraltar to go to the Rock to work every day.

Though a Spanish media which revealed the information said that the Spanish government is threatening not to accept that after Brexit the colony should maintain the "unjustified privilege" that has turned it into a tax haven "which competes unfairly with Spain".

Mr Picardo fired back at Spain saying "the Spanish Government’s mask is slipping”.

He added that he "saw in the report a way of Spain trying to use Brexit to take narrow advantage".

He said Gibraltar will continue to seek dialogue and friendship "over Spanish aggression and belligerence".

But he warns, however, his "goodwill and good faith will not be abused".

The Prime Minister added that "soon, Madrid will have to explain to the Campo why Spanish citizens starting work in Gibraltar post-Brexit don’t have the same rights as Gibraltarians".

Last week, he addressed Gibraltarians at a rally on Labour Day, saying that they will act with "reciprocity" if the EU "discriminates" against it.

He also recommended Spain seek protection for their workers after March 2019, once the UK leaves the EU.

The Spanish Government, however, has been insisting that it wants to reach agreements that allow workers in Campo de Gibraltar to keep their jobs, which Gibraltar needs.

New survey reveals that young Europeans do not want the EU anymore

New survey reveals that young Europeans do not want the EU anymore

World Unknown   09:29

With the level of protest from various EU nations, it is becoming apparent that bloc may be heading towards extinction in the nearest future.

According to a recent opinion poll conducted, it was showed that most people within the member states do not support the idea of maintaining their membership anymore. This is because over three quarters of youths within the bloc perceive the EU as a merchandising union, and not an alliance of common countries.

The result also shows that an average of 21% are of the opinion that their country should exit the union. Amazingly, 42% of Brits saying they would vote to leave if a new referendum was held tomorrow.

The online survey, commissioned by Germany’s TUI Foundation, polled 6,000 people aged between 16 and 26 in seven EU countries: France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain and Britain.

Thus, it was established by the survey that 40% wanted the EU to allow national governments to have control of power.

While in Greece, that figure rose to a whopping 60 per cent as citizens continue to struggle under the bloc’s tough austerity rules. German and Greece respondents voted in favour of democracy.

Also in France, Italy and Poland - all home to increasing populist movements - less than half of respondents were convinced of its effectiveness.

 Markus Spittler, of the Berlin Science Research Center for Social Research, said: "In principle, young adults support the European idea, but they are increasingly suspicious when it comes to concrete measures and short-term projects.

“They can be called critical Europeans. They are critical because they question specific policies and institutional arrangements."

Even though the majority still supported remaining in the EU, an average of 21 per cent of voters said they would vote to leave.

In Germany, 69 per cent were pro-EU while Italy, Poland and Spain voted 59 per cent, 61 per cent and 73 per cent respectively.

Greeks were also most likely to dream of leaving the EU, with 31 per cent believing in a Greece-exit.

But the results were lowest in Germany in Spain, where just 12 per cent voted in favour of quitting the union.