Brexit: a new extension

Britain has another 6 months to find the best solution for Brexit

Corina Cristea, 11.04.2019, 14:21

The European
leaders and the British PM Theresa May agreed in Brussels on a new Brexit
postponement, to the end of October, with a progress review due at the European
Council meeting of June 20-21. PM May had requested a deferral to June 30, to allow
the British Parliament to reach a consensus.

It is a flexible
extension, an additional 6 months for Britain to find the best possible
solution, said the president of the European Council Donald Tusk, who added
that, at least for the time being, the threat of a brutal no-deal exit has been
removed.

As Donald Tusk
put it, During this time, the course of action will be entirely in the UK’s
hands. It can still ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, in which case the
extension will be terminated. It can also reconsider the whole Brexit strategy.
That might lead to changes in the Political Declaration, but not in the Withdrawal
Agreement. Until the end of this period, the UK will also have the possibility
to revoke Article 50 and cancel Brexit altogether.

The conclusions
of the Brussels summit in which this decision was made also say that the UK
will have to act in a constructive and responsible manner during this time.
London should also refrain from any measure which could jeopardize the
attainment of the Union’s objectives. The forthcoming months will not be easy,
Theresa May said, and added that she will do everything she can to ensure
Britain leaves the European bloc as soon as possible.

At the special
European Council on Brexit, Romania was represented by President Klaus
Iohannis, who supported the additional extension of the deadline to enable the
ratification of the withdrawal agreement by the British Parliament. The
postponement allows for an orderly withdrawal, ensuring certainty for the
European citizens living in the UK and for the British citizens in the EU, as
well as for companies and the business environment, reads a news release
issued by the Presidency.

The head of
state also called for a comprehensive and ambitious future partnership
between the European Union and Britain, one which should cover both economic
and trade aspects, and security, defence and foreign relations.

Unless it
ratifies the withdrawal agreement by May 22, Britain will have to organize
elections for the European Parliament. If the UK fails to hold the elections,
it will leave the EU on June 1, 2019.