On Brexit: Boris Johnson's father wants to remain European and announces drastic decision - "Keep what I have"

Boris Johnson's father, Stanley Johnson, voted against Brexit.

Now he has apparently decided to apply for French citizenship.

London - “I will always be a European, that much is clear.

You can't just tell the British: you are not European.

Keeping a connection to the European Union is important. ”These words come from a Brexit opponent in Great Britain.

But not just anybody.

It is

Boris Johnson's

*

father, Stanley Johnson, who expressed himself as the Reuters news agency announced on Twitter.

+

Stanley Johnson, father of Boris Johnson with a “Remain” T-shirt: The 80-year-old now wants to become French

© EPA FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA dpa - Bildfunk

When the Big Ben gong struck at midnight in London, the time had come: the transition phase ended, Great Britain finally left the EU.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson celebrated the last successful

Brexit

negotiations

as a great success - for himself and his fellow campaigners.

But within his family it looks very different: His father even wants to become a European.

Regarding Brexit: Boris Johnson's father voted “Remain” - and is now drawing conclusions

"If I understand it correctly, I am French," said Johnson, who sat in the EU Parliament and says publicly that he voted against Brexit and for a "Remain".

"My mother was born in France, her mother was French, as was her grandfather."

'If I understand it correctly, I am French.

My mother was born in France, her mother was totally French as was her grandfather, 'said the 80-year-old Stanley Johnson, who was speaking in French https://t.co/mxVZw8M8K8

- Reuters (@Reuters) December 31, 2020

Johnson therefore decided

to apply for

French citizenship

.

That would

keep

him

European

.

He said this in French.

And then added how he wants his decision to be understood.

“For me, it's about keeping what I have.

And that makes me very happy, ”confirmed the 80-year-old.

On Brexit: Son Boris Johnson also strikes a new note - "We will remain a thoroughly European society"

It is not yet known what his son

Boris

thinks about his father's decision.

But even that, as the face of the

Brexit

*

movement, had recently struck more moderate tones.

Among other things, he spoke of the beginning of "wonderful new relationships."

On Wednesday, too, he uttered almost melancholy words: “This is not the end of

Great Britain

as a European country.

We are - and will continue to be - a thoroughly European society in many ways. "

The border controls in Great Britain begin on Friday night.

International observers are paying particular attention to the port of

Dover

and the lorry handling there - the first Brexit signs have already been erected.

(kat) * Merkur.de is part of the Germany-wide Ippen-Digital editors network.