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The professor insisted that the European Union was falling apart and was facing massive challenges, with Brexit just one of its problems. Speaking to RT, Mr Goodwin suggested that Brexit was leading to a change in political stance in some EU member states. He said: “I think Jean-Claude Juncker is deeply worried about the direction of the European Union even if he is not saying so publicly. “I think if you look at what has happened to the EU after Brexit, if you look at Italy for example where you have the refugee crisis causing a real problem and causing political volatility in Italy.

GETTY•RT Matthew Goodwin claimed that Jean-Claude Juncker is worried about the current state of the EU

“Only this morning a survey has suggested that one in three Italians are rating this issue as a top concern for them. “But also we have got elections in Germany and Austria coming up where you have populist adopting quite a strong position. “But generally when you look at the Eurozone and how Europe’s political parties and currents are moving, there’s not much to inspire confidence that this is getting back to a period of stability and long term harmony.” Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Ana Gomes instead claimed that Britain’s decision last year has brought the Brussels bloc closer together as Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel fight to take the EU forward.

I think Jean-Claude Juncker is deeply worried about the direction of the European Union even if he is not saying so publicly Matthew Goodwin

She said: “We now have to negotiate a divorce as civilised as possible, that will not bring too much harm to both parties Britain and of course the EU. “Who, in a way has helped the EU get united, unfortunately [for the UK].” Speaking to Politico, the President of the European Commission reiterated that the EU was in a good shape. “There is really nothing to complain about,” he said. “There is something better to report than a year ago.”

Anti-Juncker protest in Greece, latest pictures Fri, July 14, 2017 The demonstrators protest against the nomination of Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, as honorary doctor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Play slideshow EPA 1 of 5 Demonstrators affiliated to leftist groups scuffle with riot policemen