LIVE BLOG: Britain 'Brexits,' Sparking New World Order

Media across Europe chime in

European media has been weighing in on the British vote.

The editor of France’s Libération newspaper, Laurent Joffrin, warned in today’s edition that Brexit would be “an example, a precedent, a dangerous shock that would encourage nationalism, that poison for which Europe is the antidote.”

He described Britain as “a country that is suspicious, that tenses and closes in on itself.”

France’s Le Parisien newspaper worries that a Brexit would have “a snowball effect” and encourage “populist and Europhobic movements” in the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and France.

Italy’s leftwing, and pro-EU, La Repubblica dubs today as “Europe’s longest day.” Italy’s anti-EU Il Giornale carried a photograph of a “Keep Calm & Vote Leave” campaign truck.

Most newspapers in Scandinavian countries express fear today that Britain will leave, depriving them of a valuable ally in the halls of power in Brussels. The rightwing Berlingske in Denmark implored the British, “please stay.”

In an editorial the paper’s editors said: “As a nation, we in Denmark understand your skepticism about the EU, perhaps better than any other country. Three times we voted no - in 1992, 2000 and 2015 - but never out.”

The paper said: “Britain’s voice in the EU is important – both for us in Denmark and for the rest of Europe. Your persistent fight for free trade and breaking down regulation and bureaucracy is a driving force and one that helps us work together to stem the harmful protectionism which might start to dominate an EU without Britain.”

Spain’s El Pais said it would be better for Britain to be in than out. In an editorial, the paper commented: “For all its disadvantages, limitations and shortcomings, the EU is one of the greatest political and economic successes of recent history – as President Obama pointed out in Hanover. So why leave it? Why damage it? … Britons, vote in our name. Please.”

Belgium’s Le Soir remarked dryly: “For those who are convinced of the necessity of pursuing European integration – a position which is always strong in Belgium – the prospect of seeing the exit of the eternal outsider and troublemaker has a certain attraction.”

But the paper concludes that without the Britain, the EU would be more vulnerable to its enemies and in thrall to nationalists.

Germany’s Bild tabloid, in its effort to persuade the British to stay, promised that Germany would supply all the ‘baddies’ for James Bond movies.

Impact on Africa

South African economic analyst David Oberholzer says a British exit from the European Union could adversely affect trade and aid with Africa.

Oberholzer, co-founder of the Johannesburg investment training and research company the Strigine Group, tells VOA's English-to-Africa that trade blocks like the Southern African Development Community and individual African countries have signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU. He says such agreements would have to be renegotiated.

Britain also has several bilateral agreements with African countries that are governed by EU rules. They also would also have to be renegotiated, though Oberholzer says Britain – without the monetary clout of the EU behind it – may get an inferior deal. And, he says, Britain contributes 12 percent of the EU’s development aid, which could suffer if London withdraws.

Oberholzer says the lesson for Africa is that with the continent’s economic and political diversity, it would be better to have smaller regional units come together, rather than focus on a larger groupings like the African Union, itself modeled in part on the EU.

Stocks, British pound rising

Stock markets across Europe are rising with traders and investors betting on a 'Remain' result from Britain’s Brexit referendum.

The pound, too, continued to extend gains, trading at midday 1.26 percent higher than Wednesday.

But the buoyancy is worrying some market analysts. They say that if the markets have got it wrong, and the EU’s most reluctant member chooses to exit from the bloc, the crash will be sharp.

Opinion polls suggest the result will be tight. Almost halfway through the voting day, though, there was good news for 'Remain' campaigners. Officials in Northern Ireland reported brisk voting and projected the turnout in the region by the end of the day would be a likely 70 percent.

Northern Ireland, like Scotland, is seen as pro-'Remain' territory and turnout there will be crucial to offset English voting districts, seen as mainly pro-'Leave.'

The other crucial voting district for the 'Remain' campaign is the capital.

How the wet weather will impact turnout in London is unclear. 'Leave' campaigner Nigel Farage appears to believe rain will help. Speaking outside his Kent home in the south of England, Farage said: “Actually I do think we are in with a very strong chance, I do genuinely.”

He seems to be putting a lot of hope on “those soft 'Remainers' staying at home.”

Prime Minister Cameron ignored questions about the weather when leaving a polling station, saying just a laconic “Good morning.”