A 3M outcome - May, Merkel, Macron - may boost Europe stability

Berlin

THE battle over Britain's place in Europe and the continent's future shape is under way. With the contours starting to become a little clearer, several predictions now look reasonable.

Britain's divorce negotiations from the European Union, which can start following last week's delivery of the Article 50 letter, may turn out to be relatively civilised. Some acrimony and tantrums are inevitable. The UK has to try to prove that a non-EU future will be bright. The other 27 EU members must show that the British will be poorer and unhappier, to promote EU27 solidarity and prevent disintegration.