Germany: Brexit deal’s defeat ‘bitter day for Europe'

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz expressed deep regret Tuesday over British lawmakers’ rejection of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, saying it was bad for Europe.

"This is a bitter day for Europe. We are well prepared -- but a hard Brexit would be the least attractive choice, for the EU and GB [Great Britain]," Scholz said on Twitter.

Lawmakers in the House of Commons rejected May’s European Union withdrawal agreement after 432 of them voted against it Tuesday evening.

Dealing May a historic defeat, the vote declared the deal, which was agreed to by British and EU officials after two years of negotiations, effectively null and void.