United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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Boris Johnson is deeply relaxed this morning. He talks about "our continent" Europe, the good "friendship" with the EU countries; he praises the "great lower house" and promises close cooperation with members of all parties; he announces "to cure the divisions in British politics" and calls on parliamentarians to "meet as Democrats".
You barely recognize the Prime Minister.
Since taking office in July, Johnson was on full confrontation course: In regularity, he roared down his opponents in the lower house, tried to strangle the stubborn deputies even by compulsory break. When moderate Tories and opposition forces enforced a bill against the head of government, which in the event of doubt resulted in a Brexit postponement, Johnson called that a capitulation to Brussels.
There can be no talk of war rhetoric on this day. Yet Johnson's conciliatory tone at the beginning of this debate, which is supposed to be a historical one, is certainly not a case of mood swings. The grand finale is set, proclaimed "Super Saturday": Parliament is to bless Johnson's freshly negotiated Brexit deal with the EU - and finally pave the way for the exit on 31 October.
But it's completely unclear if Johnson can win enough supporters. The Northern Irish DUP, which actually supports the Tory minority government, has shunned it in the last days of the Brexit negotiations with Brussels. For a majority, therefore, Johnson needs all the more urgently the voices of pro-European conservatives and the Labor opposition. Therefore, now cuddly course instead of combat mode is announced.
Explosive maneuver
Alone: it does not help. On the contrary. It does not even come to the grand finale that the government has conjured up. The all-important vote: postponed. What's more, the prime minister must now officially apply for a deferral of the Brexit appointment in Brussels. A scenario the Prime Minister once said he preferred to be dead in the ditch.
(Read here the events of the day in minutes protocol)
It is an explosive maneuver that obviously offends the government by a group of Brexit skeptics: an amendment that conditionally approves of Johnson's deal. First, according to the idea, the Brexit agreements should also be cast into British law before the agreement is signed. 322 MPs vote in favor, only 306 against. Although this is not binding, because after this slump, the government renounces to put her just amended main request on the deal yet to vote. But the matter still has serious consequences.
Johnson's reaction in the video: "neither discouraged nor dismayed"
REUTERS
The passage of a resignation bill is actually part two in the UK's ratification process for the EU deal. It has long been considered a matter of form if Parliament has previously agreed in principle to the agreement politically. But mistrust in Johnson and his government is huge. His critics feared a scenario that might sound paradoxical at first: If Parliament's win over Johnson's deal now, it could still be No Deal - an unregulated Brexit.
Benn's Law is designed to protect against hard Brexit
The reason: In the case of consent, the so-called Benn law would be obsolete. This should protect against No Deal by forcing the government to ask for an extension of the Brexit deadline - should there be no agreement by midnight this Saturday.
At the same time, however, worries have spread recently that the necessary legislation could not be completed in time in the coming days or even deliberately torpedoed by some hardliners. In this case, Britain would fall from the EU without a valid agreement, despite the deal on 31 October.
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Protests in London: "No Brexit is a Deal"By voting for the amendment, MEPs are making sure that the government can no longer bring the deal through Parliament on time. Therefore, the Benn Act takes effect, Johnson is now legally obliged to apply in Brussels with a predetermined letter more time. If the EU is involved, a Chaos Brexit would be excluded for the time being.
Heavy hit
It's a big blow to the government. When news of their opponents' plans leak on Friday, a strategy meeting is hastily scheduled in Downing Street. But the time is too short to make up for the backlash.
Instead, the prime minister must now deal with another lower house defeat. And he may decide to take a radical step. Immediately after the deadlock in parliament, Johnson says again: "I will negotiate no delay with the EU," he says. The question is, what does that mean? Does the premier ignore the law? Or does he send the expected letter to Brussels, but at the same time vehemently distances himself from it? It is clear: If the government does not request a delay, the case in court should be long.
Either way, even after this day, it remains completely unclear where Britain is heading for Brexit. The government is obviously considering bringing the deal back to parliament on Monday. At the same time, the debates about the law of resignation should begin. Then other forces and groups could come together once more. For example, they could re-run for a second referendum - or even try to topple Johnson.