It's time. It's time to party, Friday January 31, for Brexiters and sadness for Europhiles: after being pushed back three times, Brexit is scheduled for 11 p.m. (London time, midnight Paris time), three years and a half after his vote by 52% of the British in the 2016 referendum.

"It's time for real national renewal and change," said Premier Boris Johnson in a speech to the nation to be broadcast an hour before the big leap, while a light clock projected on Downing Street will launch. countdown.

Brexit champion, elected by a large majority in December on the promise to achieve it, the conservative Johnson wishes to "unify" to go "forward". However, the task looks difficult. According to a survey by the YouGov institute, only 30% of supporters of "Remain" accepted the breakup.

A divided country

In London, reactions are very divided. "It is our European identity that will escape us. It is a very sad day. I hope there will be an opportunity to bring the nation together," worries a Londoner interviewed by France 24. "I am terribly depressed is the end of an era, "says another. For their part, Eurosceptics wriggle. "I think there will be some spoilsports that will try to spoil the party by shouting 'Stop' to Brexit. But I'm impartial!" Enthuses a Brexiter.

Several events are planned to mark the event. Nigel Farage, figurehead of Eurosceptics, has planned a party in front of the Parliament, whose famous bell Big Ben, under construction, will however remain silent. "Those who have always wanted this Brexit will find themselves in front of Westminster and also in pubs in the British capital and the country," said Clovis Casali, France 24's special envoy to London. A special 50 pence Brexit coin (60 euro cents that the UK has always refused to adopt) will also go into circulation.

In contrast, the former Liberal Democrat MEP Antony Hook spread over the cliffs of Dover a 150 square meter banner showing his love for Europe: "We still love the EU". And in Europhile Scotland, where Brexit has revived the desire for independence, the European flag will continue to fly in front of the Parliament. The mayor of London has decided to have an open day to welcome European citizens who live in the capital and who are worried about what will happen next. These non-British citizens are equally affected by Brexit.

No concrete change

The day may be historic, it will not bring about any big concrete change in the immediate future, if it is not the return of the blue passport, preferred to the bordeaux European, or the closure of the ministry of Brexit, which loses its reason d 'to be.

This end clap, which is not really one, especially marks the start of a second season in the saga of Brexit. "For the separation to be smooth, a transition period will last until the end of the year, so that the British government can negotiate trade agreements and outline the future relationship with the European Union", explains Clovis Casali.

In this second season will also arise the question of a rapprochement with the historic American ally, Donald Trump, who had shown an enthusiastic support for this divorce, synonymous for him with new economic prospects.

With AFP

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