London (AFP)

Opponents of a hard Brexit triggered Thursday a judicial offensive against the decision of Prime Minister Boris Johnson to suspend Parliament for more than a month, which outraged much of the UK and led to the resignation of the very popular leader Scottish curators.

The latter, Ruth Davidson, in favor of keeping the UK in the EU, spoke of the "conflict" she "felt about Brexit" in her letter of resignation and urged Boris Johnson to find a new home. agreement with the European Union. The charismatic forty-year-old had been able to breathe new life into the Conservative Party in Scotland, which she had been running since 2011.

Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament from the second week of September until October 14, two weeks before Brexit, sparked a wave of anger in the UK, with Boris Johnson accused of "dictatorial" practices .

The head of the government said he wanted to use this time to define a new "ambitious" policy for his country. But the opposition sees a maneuver to prevent the deputies to block a Brexit without agreement, which the government wants to implement if it does not find a compromise with the European Union on the conditions of the exit of the EU on 31 October.

In this tense atmosphere, Defense Minister Ben Wallace has linked the decision to suspend Parliament to Brexit, in a conversation with his French counterpart Florence Parly, recorded without his knowledge, on the sidelines of a meeting of defense ministers in Paris. Helsinki, Finland.

What Boris Johnson had done well. Downing Street immediately distanced himself from the minister, saying that his tongue had pitched.

- "Coup d'Etat" -

Meanwhile, the counteroffensive is getting ready. Labor chief, the main opposition party, Jeremy Corbyn, has warned that he will try to "legislate to avoid a + no deal + and to prevent Mr. Johnson from closing Parliament during this particularly crucial period" as soon as Parliament returns. .

Mr. Corbyn is also preparing a vote of no confidence against the Conservative government, which has a parliamentary majority of only 320 seats against 319 for its opponents.

Leaders of the six opposition parties represented in parliament also condemned Boris Johnson's "undemocratic" actions in a joint statement.

"We demand that the Prime Minister immediately reverse his decision or allow MPs to vote on the suspension of Parliament," they write.

According to the signatories of the communiqué, this decision "deprives the voters of representatives who could hold the government accountable".

Former Conservative Finance Minister Ken Clarke has been suggested by some political figures opposed to a tough Brexit as being a figurehead that could lead a temporary alternative government.

He reacted by saying that if it could "lead to a reasonable exit from the current crisis", then he would accept.

As for voting against his own government, Mr Clarke told the ITV television channel that "if it was the only way to avoid the disaster of an exit without agreement", then he would.

Legal action has also been taken in London, Edinburgh (Scotland) and Belfast (Northern Ireland) on the legality of the Prime Minister's choice. A provisional court decision is expected for Friday in Edinburgh.

Traditionally, the British Parliament does not sit for a few weeks in September, at the time of the annual party congresses. And it is not unusual for a new Prime Minister to briefly suspend the current parliamentary session and then introduce a new program.

Which made Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Europhobic Minister responsible for Relations with Parliament, say that "this outrage is bogus and created by people who do not want us to leave the European Union" despite the June 2016 referendum which has pronounced itself at 52% for Brexit.

Wednesday night, thousands of people had demonstrated in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and other major cities, chanting "Stop the coup". Other gatherings are planned for the weekend, as well as for Tuesday, for the return of parliament, on the initiative of the organization classified on the left "People's Assembly".

The Momentum movement, the pro-Corbyn left wing of the Labor Party, called for "occupying bridges and blocking roads".

On the official website petition.parliament.uk, a petition against the decision exceeded Thursday evening 1.5 million signatures. In the United Kingdom, petitions of up to 100,000 signatures can trigger the opening of a parliamentary debate, without however being able to call into question the contested decision.

- Elections -

During the few days of parliamentary session planned, Jeremy Corbyn could file a motion of censure against the government.

If such a motion is passed, MPs will have up to 14 days to form an alternative government. Boris Johnson could then either agree to resign or call legislative elections, a scenario that is increasingly mentioned.

According to the government, the date of the return of the Parliament was set for 14 October to sit before the European Council of 17 and 18 October and can, in case of new agreement with the EU, vote the law necessary for its ratification before Brexit.

© 2019 AFP