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Anti-Brexit protesters march past Parliament in Westminster on September 4, 2019. REUTERS / Henry Nicholls.

Boris Johnson embarked on a new showdown with the UK Parliament on Wednesday (September 4th) after a humiliating defeat the previous day over his Brexit strategy.

MEPs must vote on a law aimed at preventing an exit without EU approval, as envisaged by the prime minister. If MPs vote in favor of this legislation, and therefore against the government, Boris Johnson said he would submit a motion to the House of Commons to vote for early general elections on October 15.

During acrimonious exchanges in Parliament, Boris Johnson challenged opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn to support the holding of elections on October 15 " to allow the people of this country to express his opinion ."

This textual motion, however, will have to receive two thirds of the votes to be adopted and it is unlikely to be, since Labor, the main opposition party, has already called for rejection . Boris Johnson promised to release the United Kingdom from the European Union on 31 October, with or without a withdrawal agreement with Brussels.

Actions in court

In parallel with the battle in the House of Commons, anti "no deal" elected officials have turned to the courts. The highest civil court in Scotland on Wednesday rejected an action by 75 pro-European parliamentarians to block the suspension of parliament, decided by Boris Johnson. Two other lawsuits are still pending, including one discussed Thursday in London.

Boris Johnson has drawn the wrath of many deputies by deciding to suspend Parliament for five weeks , until October 14 , leaving them little time to oppose a "hard Brexit".

( with AFP )