Reactions to Britain’s vote to leave the European Union

“Damn! A bad day for Europe.” — Sigmar Gabriel, Germany’s vice chancellor and economy minister, on Twitter.

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“I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers the country to its next destination.” — British Prime Minister David Cameron speaking to reporters outside his Downing Street office. He said a new prime minister should be in place by October.

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“It’s true that the past years have been the most difficult ones in the history of our Union. But I always remember what my father used to tell me: What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” — EU President Donald Tusk, speaking to reporters in Brussels.

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“A victory for freedom. We now need the same referendum in France and in EU nations.” — French far-right leader and presidential contender Marine Le Pen.

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Britain’s decision to leave the EU “is not the end of the world and above all not the end of the European Union.” — Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, on Facebook.

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“Now it is our turn. I think the Dutch people must have the chance to express themselves in a referendum,” Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders.

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“The U.K. will remain a strong and committed NATO ally and will continue to play its leading role in our alliance.” — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

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“I can only give a sigh: So it’s done. This is bad news for Europe, bad news for Poland. It means instability of the situation in Britain now.” — Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski.

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“Major economic and political uncertainty will be a fact of life for some considerable time, likely weighing down markedly on business and household confidence and behavior, so dampening corporate investment, employment and consumer spending.” — Howard Archer, global economist for IHS Global Insight, cutting estimates for economic growth in Britain in light of the vote.

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