European press watches in horror as ‘destabilised’ UK government faces ‘state of emergency’

Newspapers from around the continent are gripped by the political chaos

News of political chaos in Britain is being reported with detached horror on continental Europe as newspapers fear for the stability of their politically volatile neighbour.

France’s Le Point magazine says the resignations from Theresa May’s Cabinet and “murderous headlines” in the British press could mark “the beginning of the end” for the PM.

But the outlet is also open to the possibility that the changes at the top could let the Government “reaffirm its faltering authority to carry out negotiations with Brussels”. Daily newspaper Le Figaro says the PM has been “destabilised” by a pro-Brexit revolt.

In Belgium De Morgen reports news of companies “afraid of British chaos” caused by the turbulent political situation in their political unstable island neighbour.

An op-ed in Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung asks whether David Davis and Boris Johnson are “leaving the sinking ship” or “going on the offensive” against the Prime Minister - neither apparently good news for the embattled PM. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung says the PM faces an “exhausting” week ahead.

Meanwhile Italy’s daily Corriere Della Sera says Mr Johnson has “cast the die” of a leadership bid and will “in all likelihood” challenge the prime minister to “seize the fruit of his ambition” which “devours him”. Competitor daily newspaper Repubblica headlines on the outgoing Foreign Secretary’s words: “The Brexit dream is dying”.

French daily paper Liberation says Ms May is “walking a wire” and that the “lack of enthusiasm for a single individual” in the Tory party to replace her “might well represent Theresa May’s luck and save her head once more”.

Spain’s El Pais bears the front page headline “Brexit divisions break the British government” while Publico in Portugal carries a huge picture of Theresa May as its splash, declaring: “May’s government in state of emergency”.

Ms May was hit by a double Cabinet resignation within 24 hours, losing both her Foreign Secretary and chief Brexit negotiator. News from the UK is being watched closely from the Continent: partly because of its implications for Brexit talks, and partly through sheer fascination at the chaos gripping a country normally seem as politically stable.