The staunch right-winger added that the French president’s current role as one of the de facto leaders of the European Union was “more important than ever”.
Mr Raffarin said that Britain’s impending divorce from the Brussels bloc and the shock success of two populist parties in Italy’s inconclusive general election were among the biggest challenges facing the EU.
The ex-premier, who currently heads the NGO Leaders for Peace, told the French news channel BFM TV: “Europe is under threat; it first came under threat after the Brexit vote.
“European construction acts as a bulwark against war… As such, the deconstruction of Europe would lead to war. It is my very profound belief.”
Britain’s decision to exit the bloc in June 2016 sent shockwaves across Europe, which was plunged into an identity crisis it has struggled to resolve. The bloc were dealt another painful body blow in March, after more than 50 per cent of the Italian electorate voted for eurosceptic parties in the parliamentary election.
Mr Raffarin said that Britain’s impending divorce from the Brussels bloc and the shock success of two populist parties in Italy’s inconclusive general election were among the biggest challenges facing the EU.
FORMER French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin expressed concern over the wave of anti-establishment sentiment sweeping the Western world, adding that a collapse of the European Union “could lead to war”.
The staunch right-winger added that the French president’s current role as one of the de facto leaders of the European Union was more important than ever Mr Raffarin said that Britain’s impending divorce from the Brussels bloc and the shock success of two populist parties in Italy’s inconclusive general election were among the biggest challenges facing the EU The ex-premier who currently heads the NGO Leaders for Peace told the French news channel BFM TV Europe is under threat it first came under threat after the Brexit vote European construction acts as a bulwark against war As such the deconstruction of Europe would lead to war It is my very profound belief Britain’s decision to exit the bloc in June 2016 sent shockwaves across Europe which was plunged into an identity crisis it has struggled to resolve The bloc were dealt another painful body blow in March after more than 50 per cent of the Italian electorate voted for eurosceptic parties in the parliamentary election Mr Raffarin said that Britain’s impending divorce from the Brussels bloc and the shock success of two populist parties in Italy’s inconclusive general election were among the biggest challenges facing the EU