Its more like choosing to cut of a finger or the whole arm.
If the sweetheart deal flames the eurosceptics (or more accurately makes the rest of the people think those people aren't insane and full of shit) The EU is going to be torn apart.
If the alternative if being seen as mean, and fucking the UK over (even suffering some damage itself) - Well that's the better choice for the EU.
Any deal needs to pass two institutions, the MEP's or the ECJ, either can supper any deal - They will pick what is best for the EU, even if it screws some industries over.The voices of major continental industry hold just as much clout within the EU as the Junckers and the Verhofstadts - and they have far more money.
The UK will get a Losing deal.It won't punish the UK because it would be political and economic idiocy to do so, and would endanger the rest of the European Project.
Everybody will lose - It's a guaranteed lose lose situation.
It's cute that you think this will be done in two years and a bit.We can come back to this thread in two and a bit years and see what actually happened - if the EU is still around.
And if the EU is around or not, will not depend on the UK whatsoever.
In fact, Since this ongoing clusterfuck will be the maiden voyage of Art 50, i think this buys the EU at least 2 years of tranquility.
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Because QMV exists - The UK could be overruled on quite a few issues it cares about tomorrow, it doesn't happen because nobody wants to set those kinds of precedents, but it could.