French economist Piketty says it will be "political suicide" if Britain leaves the EU

Record ID: 900668

  • Title: French economist Piketty says it will be "political suicide" if Britain leaves the EU
  • Date: 13th May 2016
  • Summary: SIGN READING (French): "CANNES" MAN HOLDING SIGN READING (English): "INVITATIONS" FRENCH POLICE OFFICERS ON HORSES (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRENCH AUTHOR AND ECONOMIST, THOMAS PIKETTY, SAYING: "I trust Justin (Director Justin Pemberton) and Matthew (Producer Matthew Metcalfe). This is why in the end we decided with my publisher, my French publisher La Seuil to sell the rights to them. They seem really enthusiastic. They have already lots of ideas of how to turn it to screen. So what I want to do is now is to leave it to them and to let them work and I want to be just very happy when I see. Of course we will talk regularly in the process to make sure that we don't have a misunderstanding but by and large I think it's going to work very well and I'm really looking forward to seeing the output. PIKETTY TALKING AT EVENT VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS AT EVENT PIKETTY SPEAKING TO A JOURNALIST CANNES, FRANCE (MAY 10, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CANNES HARBOUR PEOPLE WALKING ALONG STREET BEACH
  • Embargoed: 27th May 2016 20:41
  • Keywords: Cannes Brexit EU France Britain Thomas Piketty
  • Location: CANNES, FRANCE
  • City: CANNES, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,European Union,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0034HN77EV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Renowned French author and economist, Thomas Piketty, urged the British public on Friday (May 13) to vote to stay in the EU when the country has its referendum. Britain heads to the polls on June 23 to decide whether to remain in the EU.
    "I think it will be very sad for Europe. I think it will be, you know, even worse for Britain. I think for Britain it would be like a political suicide because after this happens, very likely, the next step will be Scotland will get out of Britain, which will then become a very small country basically."
    Piketty is in Cannes to announce that his book, 'Capital in the 21st Century', is to be turned into a film. The book reached number one on the New York Times bestseller list and has sold nearly three million copies worldwide. It explores how capitalism affects the world.
    "I would never before have thought that I would come to Cannes because my book was to become a film, so this is an incredible adventure," Piketty said.
    The film will be co-production between New Zealand and France and will be directed by Justin Pemberton.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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