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AFP
Brussels
Talk is swirling of a possible delay to Brexit after the latest rejection by lawmakers of Britain’s divorce deal, but the EU demands clear political “choices” from London before it will agree to it.
On Tuesday, MPs rejected the Brexit withdrawal plan that Prime Minister Theresa May had agreed with EU negotiators -- leaving Britain in limbo just 16 days before it is due to leave the bloc.
Delaying Britain’s departure beyond March 29 seems increasingly inevitable if both sides want to avoid a chaotic “no-deal” Brexit, but Brussels insists a delay will not be granted if it simply prolongs uncertainty.
“Today we are in the hands of the British political system,” European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans told the European Parliament.
“They should tell us where they want to go from now. The solution will have to come from London.”
Brussels has made clear it will not renegotiate the deal thrashed out with Britain over two years of tortuous talks and which has now been resoundingly rejected twice by lawmakers. The latest crushing defeat, on Tuesday, came despite May securing further guarantees from the EU in last-ditch talks in Strasbourg.
British MPs will vote Wednesday on whether to accept leaving the EU with no deal in place.
If they reject this option -- as they are expected to do -- they will vote on Thursday on whether to ask for Brexit day to be put back.
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier echoed Timmermans’ message, bluntly telling London it must decide what it wants from Brexit before Brussels would consider a delay.
“It is the responsibility of the United Kingdom to tell us what it wants in a future relationship, what is its choice, the clear line that must be its own,” he told the European Parliament.
Brussels
Talk is swirling of a possible delay to Brexit after the latest rejection by lawmakers of Britain’s divorce deal, but the EU demands clear political “choices” from London before it will agree to it.
On Tuesday, MPs rejected the Brexit withdrawal plan that Prime Minister Theresa May had agreed with EU negotiators -- leaving Britain in limbo just 16 days before it is due to leave the bloc.
Delaying Britain’s departure beyond March 29 seems increasingly inevitable if both sides want to avoid a chaotic “no-deal” Brexit, but Brussels insists a delay will not be granted if it simply prolongs uncertainty.
“Today we are in the hands of the British political system,” European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans told the European Parliament.
“They should tell us where they want to go from now. The solution will have to come from London.”
Brussels has made clear it will not renegotiate the deal thrashed out with Britain over two years of tortuous talks and which has now been resoundingly rejected twice by lawmakers. The latest crushing defeat, on Tuesday, came despite May securing further guarantees from the EU in last-ditch talks in Strasbourg.
British MPs will vote Wednesday on whether to accept leaving the EU with no deal in place.
If they reject this option -- as they are expected to do -- they will vote on Thursday on whether to ask for Brexit day to be put back.
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier echoed Timmermans’ message, bluntly telling London it must decide what it wants from Brexit before Brussels would consider a delay.
“It is the responsibility of the United Kingdom to tell us what it wants in a future relationship, what is its choice, the clear line that must be its own,” he told the European Parliament.
