GETTY Sigmar Gabriel has launched a stinging attack on Brussels

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The country's economy minister called on Jean-Claude Juncker's sclerotic Commission to "downsize" and questioned the size of the EU budget - but also reiterated calls for a Euro army. Sigmar Gabriel, who is Angela Merkel's second-in-command, also hinted that the UK could rejoin the Brussels club in the future because the majority of young people voted Remain.

His remarks come amid growing turmoil in Europe over how to deal with the Brexit result, with calls for referenda in other countries including the Netherlands and Italy intensifying by the day. Most European politicians, who were rocked by the unexpected Leave vote, have gone to pains to stress that the EU requires radical reform if it is to survive the next decade.

AFP Mr Gabriel was damning of Jean-Claude Juncker's bloated EU Commission

GETTY The German economy minister is Angela Merkel's second-in-command

And Mr Gabriel, the German vice-chancellor, criticised Brussels for "destroying trust in democracy" and called for the number of unaccountable, unelected Commissioners to be slashed. In a thunderous interview he branded Mr Juncker's department "petty" and urged officials to keep their noses out of the running of individual countries. He raged: "A Europe in which 27 Commissioners want to prove themselves doesn't make sense. It would be good to downsize in this respect." And he had a blistering attack for Brussels bureaucrats who have shut national parliaments out of negotiations for a free trade deal with Canada, blasting: "You can't be more foolish than that - that destroys trust in European democracy."

AFP He suggested Britain could soon rejoin a reformed EU

PA Thousands of pro-EU protestors marched in London today

It would be good to downsize Sigmar Gabriel

In a wide-ranging piece for the newspaper Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung the German heavyweight also called for Brussels to look again at its hugely bloated budget, questioning the amount of money spent propping up farmers. He said taxpayers' cash could be better spent on research, innovation and education and also called for EU leaders to start building up a joint European army. But Mr Gabriel also insisted that Brexit does not endanger the future of the Euro project, even raising the possibility of Britain re-joining the EU in a few decades.

He said the vote to Leave was not irreversible, adding that "I'm sure historically this is an episode rather than an epoch". His remarks come after tens of thousands of people marched in support of the EU in London yesterday, with the crowds being addressed by Lib Dem leader Tim Farron and Remain supporter Bob Geldof. And as the Tory leadership contest hots up, Mr Gabriel also urged the EU to be resolute in dealing with Britain to prevent "copycats" from adding to the bloc's troubles.

London Brexit Protest Continues Thu, February 2, 2017 Brexit protest: Thousands take to London's streets in pro-EU protest 'March for Europe'. Play slideshow PA 1 of 11 Remain supporters demonstrate during the March for Europe rally in Parliament Square, London