Prime Minister Theresa May has called a general election for 8 June. The German government presumes that the election will not prejudice progress on the United Kingdom’s exit negotiations with the EU.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken by telephone with Prime Minister Theresa May, reported deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer on Wednesday in Berlin. During this conversation, Theresa May informed Angela Merkel of the upcoming general election.

Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Sigmar Gabriel expressed his hope that the early general election announced by Theresa May will lend the negotiations with the European Union greater clarity and predictability. He said, "Predictability and reliability are more important than ever since the Brexit vote in the UK. Any prolonged uncertainty is surely not to the benefit of political and economic relations between Europe and the UK."

The EU and the UK now have two years to negotiate an agreement regulating the details of the United Kingdom’s departure. The guidelines for negotiations are the object of consultation among the 27 member states and are to be adopted at a special meeting of the European Council on 29 April. This Facebook video explains the next steps, following the official notification of the UK’s intention to leave the EU.