German confidential paper fears France could also leave EU

Document drafted by special task force of German Finance Ministry

Germany fears more EU countries could take the UK’s lead and exit the union, according to a confidential paper leaked by German newspaper ‘Die Welt’. The confidential document, which was drawn up by a special task force for the Brexit, set up by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, dubs France, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland and Hungary as ‘suspect’ countries of exiting the EU. The paper, parts of which had seen the light in German newspaper ‘Handelsblatt’, also reveals that after the UK’s exit from the EU Germany would be compelled to contribute an extra 3bln Euros the union’s annual budget. The German Finance Ministry spokesperson declines to comment on the leaked paper, but said it was given to the media by the Ministry.