UK’s Farage prefers Merkel to Schulz

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) – A win by Chancellor Angela Merkel in German elections this month might be better for Brexit negotiations, former U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Berlin before joining a campaign event of the German far-right Alternative for Germany party, Farage attacked Merkel’s main rival, Social Democratic Party leader Martin Schulz.

“Schulz is a fanatic; he is a pro-EU fanatic,” he said of the former European Parliament president, who is struggling to beat Merkel in upcoming September 24 elections.

Farage accused Schulz of viewing those who support the nation state and democracy as "bad people”.

He said Merkel was no different than Schulz on many significant issues but argued that her election victory might be better for the U.K.’s exit from the EU.

“I am not a big fan of either, given where they stand on all the big issues. But maybe Ms. Merkel would listen to the logical,” he said.

“Ms. Merkel is more likely to listen to the voice of German industry and listen to the voice of German workers, provided Germany has that debate in public and puts that pressure on her."

Farage, who led the “Leave” campaign before the EU membership referendum in the U.K. last year, advocated continuing a free trade deal with European partners and claimed it would also be in the interest of Germany.

British voters decided to leave the EU in a referendum last year.

The U.K. is expected to end its 44-year membership in the bloc in March 2019 following the completion of negotiations with the EU.