President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker compared Britain’s relationship with the European Union to a dying romance. He said this on January 18 when he met with French delegates. Juncker called for a “divorce” between Britain and the EU, marking the first time he has publicly mentioned Britain leaving the EU.

At the meeting, he said he was ready to discuss Britain’s demands for treaty change, but made clear that there are “red lines.” One “red line” includes change to immigration rules for eastern European countries. He called the desire to change immigration rules “the whim of certain politicians.”

Nigel Farage, the leader of UK Independence Party, asked for “an amicable divorce and a trading relationship [with the EU] to follow.”

Making sure Britain understands his feelings, Junker stated that he would not get on his knees and beg Britain to stay. “People shouldn’t stay together if the conditions aren’t the same as when things started,” he said. “It is easy to fall in love and more difficult to stay together.”

Polls show that Britons favor calling it quits too. A December survey found that 42 percent of British adults would vote for Britain to exit the EU, while 31 percent would choose to stay.

European leaders will meet again on February 12 to discuss possible changes to the EU treaty. Don’t expect serious reconciliation.

Britain’s divorce from the European Union is coming, but it will not be amicable. Read Richard Palmer’s article “Why Britain Is Closer Than Ever to Quitting the EU” to find out why.