Spiegel interviewed the presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission, Martin Schulz and Jean-Claude Juncker in the wake of the Brexit vote.  In all cases, emphasis added is mine.

Regarding their phone call on the morning after the vote:

SPIEGEL: What did you say on the phone?

Schulz: I said: "Jean-Claude, I think this isn't going well." Then I advocated for a quick response from the EU. The last thing we need right now is uncertainty.

Juncker: I shared his opinion. It was important for the Brits to trigger Article 50 as quickly as possible in order to avoid any uncertainties.

They dictate to European countries when they are in the union, and they dictate to European countries when they say they want out of the union – despite, to my understanding, it being up to the British government to decide if and/or when to trigger Article 50.

SPIEGEL: Just like on that Friday, you often present yourselves as extremely tight political partners. Can you appreciate that some in Europe see your relationship as cronyism?

Juncker: Nonsense. Martin and I lead the two important community institutions, whose tasks include working together in confidence. After 30 years in Brussels, I can tell you: The relationship between the Commission and the Parliament has probably never been as good as it is now.

SPIEGEL: That's precisely what many people find problematic. Parliaments are ultimately responsible for keeping governments in check — not acting as their reinforcements.

Schulz and Juncker went on to further deride this view of cronyism.  What else would they say?

Spiegel then asked about the plans announced immediately after the Brexit vote for an even tighter EU, with even more control from Brussels over the member states (talk about being oblivious to reality).

Juncker: The proposal in and of itself is convincing, but it doesn't suit the times. To implement it, the European treaties would have to be amended. Martin's plan is a long-term project that cannot currently be implemented due to the mood on the continent. But where the community can achieve more on the basis of existing treaties, we should do so.

They know they cannot get new treaties passed or current ones amended, but this does not concern them.  Politicians will always find loopholes in existing treaties and laws that they can use to expand power.  They have thousands of lawyers and judges working on this every single day.

Schulz: I completely agree with Jean-Claude. I'm fully aware that my vision of a European bicameral parliament can't be implemented tomorrow. I'm also not an integration fanatic. We agree: Brussels can't regulate everything. I'm driven by something else: There are forces in Europe that want to generally give national policy priority over a common European approach. We have to prevent this.

This last statement gives me the chills.

SPIEGEL: Nevertheless, many in Europe see you as being symbolic of the backroom technocratic politics that is associated with the European Union and the euro. Some have even accused you of being responsible for Brexit. Do you plead guilty?