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British Foreign Minister Raab: "It seems that we have enough votes in the lower house"

2019-10-20T16:01:50.345Z


Despite the postponed vote on the Brexit deal, British Foreign Minister Raab continues to believe in a timely Brexit. But that would first have to be voted on - and others decide that.



The optimism among the British Conservatives is apparently unbroken: Secretary of State Dominik Raab now told the broadcaster BBC that he was confident that they would comply with the exit date on 31 October. "It seems we have enough votes in the lower house," he continued. They want to bring the agreement through parliament next week.

Perhaps the deputies are actually voting this Monday in the House of Commons on the deal negotiated between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the EU - but that is not yet clear.

Parliament President John Bercow wants to announce his decision on Monday afternoon (around 4:30 pm CEST), a lower house spokeswoman said. If he gives the green light, MEPs could vote on the deal on the same day in the late afternoon or evening.

Video analysis after Super-Saturday: "The nerves are blank"

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AP

Parliament postponed a decision on the agreement on Saturday, causing Johnson a defeat. MEPs voted 322 to 306 for a motion to postpone the decision until the ratification law has been passed. Johnson was required by law to apply to the European Union for an extension of the Brexit deadline beyond October 31st.

Behind the push to postpone was the concern that the Brexit agreement could not be ratified in time before leaving. The consequence would be an unregulated exit from the European Union. In order to prevent a no-deal-Brexit, the deputies would have to wave through everything the government puts before them in the ratification law.

Johnson bowed to the British Parliament and requested an extension of the EU deadline by the end of January. But Johnson joined this weekend with the announcement to pull the EU exit still on 31 October. Already on Monday, he could submit the Brexit contract again to the lower house. The EU is waiting eagerly. As long as Council President Donald Tusk probes, whether the EU states once granted respite. Chances are good when needed.

REUTERS

Boris Johnson

Johnson does not have a majority in parliament and relies on opposition votes to ratify the Brexit deal. The head of the Labor Party, however, is officially against the deal. And several opposition politicians sharply criticized Johnson's behavior. "He's acting a bit like a spoiled brat," said Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell of the Labor Party on Sky News Sunday. Former Tory MP Anna Soubry, who leads a group of pro-European former Tory and Labor MPs, likened the prime minister to a "rebellious child."

In Brussels, diplomats perplexed about the confused situation in London. Nevertheless, on Sunday morning, as planned, the EU ambassadors met with negotiator Michel Barnier and formally launched the ratification procedure on the EU side. Because not only the British Parliament has to accept the treaty, but also the European Parliament. Theoretically, this could happen on Thursday in Strasbourg. The heads of the European Parliament are dealing with the timetable on Monday.

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2019-10-20

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