A week prior to the scheduled Brexit, the heads of state and government of the EU still do not know how, when, and whether or not the UK’s exit comes. Christoph Hasselbach reports from Brussels.
How many regular EU summit were already in the sign of Brexit, Meetings at which there are actually still many other topics should go? Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said annoyed, the Whole feel of him slowly like the “Waiting for Godot”.
Godot came, as we know, never but a regulated Brexit can’t take forever. More precisely, at 29. March is actually the end. If there is still no agreement, leaving the country in the EU without a succession plan. Up on some of the radical party, friends of Theresa Mays Conservative no one, and EU does not want to page.
Because time is running out, May is seeking a short extension of the deadline until the end of June. The will give to the British Parliament on “time to make a final choice, which meets the result of the referendum,” she said on arrival in Brussels.
Already, this would raise difficult constitutional and political questions. Because shortly before, at the end of may, European elections. The UK would then be a member, even if only for a few weeks, it would, strictly speaking, the British are allowed to vote. However, “it would be absurd if we have a country here to participate in the election and at the same time, the EU wants to leave”, the Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz. That is why is now, that the rest of the 27 heads of government to allow a shift, but only up to 22. In may, shortly before the election. That’s what it says in the draft of the final document, but is discussed to an hour.
Twice the British house of Commons Mays exit agreement has been rejected
“Not every few months, deadlines will be extended”
But even this short extension of the deadline is subject to the condition that the British house of Commons next week, says Yes to exit the contract. “A shift only makes sense if it leads to that the outstanding issues can be resolved,” said Short.
So far, however, the British Parliament has rejected the Treaty, as Theresa May has negotiated twice with a clear majority. Worse still, May has made with her speech Wednesday evening, as the Parliament attack sharp, not friends, of all those whose approval it depends. So it looks not good.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke of a Brexit as a “historic event”, the “careful” and “to the last hour…everything” needs to get added, “an orderly exit”.
Up to the last hour but can’t hot according to the words of the Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, “is that we push every couple of months, decisions, and deadlines are extended”. He and others are fed up with the eternal Back-and-Forth. And at one point, the French President, Emmanuel Macron, as formulated, seem to also all the other 27 governments to agree: “You can’t renegotiate.” The British should get no further concessions.
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The Parliament in London rejected the contract again, threatening a disorderly Brexit. In order to prevent him at the very last Minute, it could on Thursday, a day before the exit date, a crisis summit with the EU. The, in turn, could decide a shift of the exit.
It would also be possible, that May back occurs when a third referendum defeat, then it would depend on the successor; hard-liners such as Boris Johnson are already ready. A way out could be another Brexit Referendum. Or the British government takes back the Brexit request. More than a Million people in Britain are calling for exactly that in a Petition. However, each of these options is politically risky.
There are other issues
With all deference to the British, Angela Merkel stressed that the world goes on and there are other issues: “The EU-27 also needs to think of their future.” In a joint Initiative with Macron you want to develop, for example, a common strategy in dealing with China, and a common European industrial policy.
The fear of China’s influence in Europe is a big place
The attitude of the EU towards China has hardened in the past few months. If you want to avoid that China gives to much influence on European markets, valuable technology companies and critical infrastructure, without a corresponding benefit. Especially Macron, which is in their own country due to the yellow West-movement under strong pressure, the spread again and again the message that the EU should be power protection. Just before the European elections, in which nationalism is on the rise, he wants to show that Europe is in an uncertain world the best guarantee for its citizens.