Jan Zahradil blasted the European Union for failing to make concessions to the British Government ahead of the 2016 EU referendum to convince British voters to stay. Prime Minister David Cameron entered talks with Brussels to improve Britain's membership deal in 2015 but did not secure a compromise, resulting in Brexit the following year. Mr Zahadril, who is running to take over the leadership of the European Commission from Jean-Claude Juncker, blamed the EU for their failure to budge.
Speaking to Euronews, the Czech politician said: "Is it Europe’s mistake? Brexit was a mistake of the European Union that allowed one of it’s strongest and most successful members to leave.
"I believe that if David Cameron had been offered something during those first negotiations that he could’ve sold back home as a success or as a concession of the EU, there might have been a different result of the referendum."
Mr Zahadril insisted he plans to "re-tune the EU" to ensure national governments have more control over policy-making.
He added: "Sometimes states, national government, and national parliaments are better able to find solutions."
LISTEN HERE: Latest Brexit news from the Express.co.uk Final Countdown podcast
Brexit news: Zahadril accused the EU of being the root cause of the Brexit (Image: GETTY•EURONEWS)
Theresa May announced on Tuesday night there will be a fourth vote on her proposed Brexit
