The UK election resulting in a hung parliament is raising fears in Brussels that Brexit talks could take longer than expexted…or even worse lead to no deal at all for Great Britain.
Brexit talks are set to begin in just ten days (or on June 19th—depending on when this airs)…but how a new UK Parliament will impact negotiations remains unclear.
Our Europe Correspondent Kevin Ozebek has EU reaction from Brussels.
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The votes are in, Prime Minister Theresa May's majority is gone, but Brussels is eager to get on with the business of Brexit.
Here's European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker
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Jean-Claude Juncker/European Commission President
"I do hope that the result of the elections will have no major impacts on the negations we are desperately waiting for."
Prime Minister May has signaled exit talks will still start on time on June 19th.
That's a relief for EU leaders.
They've made it clear they're sticking to schedule.
European Commission spokesman Alexander Vinter-stein says despite political upheaval in the UK—the EU wants Brexit talks to end in spring of 2019.
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Alexander Winterstein/European Commission Spokesperson
"The timeline is clear, positions are clear, the level of preparation I think is clear and so we are ready."
But that's the stance from Brussels.
With the opposition Labour Party now stronger in the UK Parliament—it's possible they could stall Brexit if they don't like the deal reached by Prime Minister May.
But there could be a silver lining for the EU and for UK citizens who voted to stay in the bloc.
Some think it's less likely the now politically battered and bruised Theresa May will get her entire Brexit wish list—which included completely pulling the UK out of the EU single market.
Here's the take from Steven Blocksmans with the Centre for European Policy Studies.
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Steven Blockmans/Centre for European Policy Studies
"That of course is in interest to the European Union, the EU 27 and the European Commission in trying to control the damage which will be done in what is essentially a lose-lose situation for Britain and the EU."
Prime Minister May hoped for a Brexit mandate—but didn't get it.
She talked tough to Brussels during the campaign to gain support from the right.
Now it's unclear if that tone will soften—But many anaylsts here think the EU is better organized and has the upper hand going into Brexit negotiations.
Kevin Ozebek, Brussels