German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned on Sunday, 23 October that the European Union faced existential risks, EurActive reports.

“The financial crisis, the flow of refugees into Europe, and the shock following the British referendum have pushed Europe into serious turbulence,” he told the Munich-based Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

“Even dyed-in-the-wool backers of Europe can see that we have to convince people again, and we have to do it outside of the ivory towers of the professional backers of Europe,” Steinmeier said.

“If we don’t know how to appreciate the value of the EU, then it’s going to go to the dogs,” he added, accusing right-wing populists of taking advantage of people’s fears.