London (AFP)
EU negotiator Michel Barnier has ruled Sunday to renegotiate the divorce agreement with the UK, reinforcing the assumption of a hard Brexit on October 31 before an intense political wrestling on the Brexit this week in the UK -United.
It is out of the question to renegotiate the Irish safety net (or "backstop") that Boris Johnson wants to offload the exit agreement signed by former Prime Minister Theresa May with the EU, Barnier said in a statement. a tribune published by the Sunday Telegraph.
This provision provides that, for lack of a better solution after a transitional period, the entire United Kingdom remains in a "single customs territory" with the EU.
Unacceptable for Boris Johnson: this would prevent the United Kingdom from following an independent commercial policy, since it would still be subject to European rules.
"The backstop represents the maximum flexibility that the EU can offer to a non-member state," writes the chief negotiator of the European Union for Brexit. It stresses that this is necessary to preserve the integrity of the single European market and to keep open the border between British Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (EU Member State) after Brexit.
"I am not optimistic about the possibility of avoiding a + no deal + scenario, but I remain determined to explore all the avenues that the British government will present that are compatible with the withdrawal agreement," he added. -he.
He said talks on alternatives to the Irish safety net could begin only after ratification of the withdrawal agreement on the table, along with negotiations on the future relationship between Brussels and London.
- To postpone Brexit? -
Boris Johnson, who came to power at the end of July, promised to release the United Kingdom from the European bloc at any cost on October 31, whether or not a new compromise could be reached with Brussels, in order to respect the will of the British people. is pronounced at 52% in favor of Brexit by referendum in 2016.
Saying want to prepare and submit a new national policy, the leader announced Wednesday a suspension of Parliament for about five weeks from the second week of September and until October 14.
But opponents of a hard Brexit see a maneuver to prevent them from blocking an exit without a parachute. They are preparing to engage in a stand-off with the head of government as soon as Parliament comes back on Tuesday for a session that promises to be very stormy.
MEPs will try to legislate to prevent a "no deal". A motion of censure is also considered against the government, whose majority in the House of Commons is only one vote.
"We simply have to stop ourselves from going out without an agreement," said Keir Starmer, the Brexit leader in the Labor Party, the main opposition party. Such a law would require postponing the date of divorce, he said.
- Judicial battle -
In return, according to the Sunday Times, Boris Johnson would not rule out calling a general election, or not enacting a law preventing a "no deal". He is also considering sanctioning Conservative MPs who would vote against the government.
Former Conservative Justice Minister David Gauke told Sky News that he will meet with Boris Johnson on Monday to hear "his plans for an agreement."
The battle against the "no deal" and the suspension of the Parliament will also take place on the judicial front, and in the street.
On Tuesday, the highest civil court in Scotland will consider the merits of a request from pro-European MPs to counter the suspension. Former Conservative Prime Minister John Major joined him in another lawsuit filed by anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday in London.
New demonstrations are also expected after thousands of Britons protested on Saturday against the "coup" of Boris Johnson.
The scenario of a "no deal", much feared by the economic circles, is fearing the restoration of customs duties and shortages.
"No, there will be no shortage of fresh food," wanted to reassure Michael Gove, the minister responsible for preparing for an exit without agreement, on the BBC. He admitted that some prices would go up while "others would decrease".
© 2019 AFP