Complicated negotiations in sight.

The British government of Boris Johnson presents, Wednesday, September 9, a bill on the organization of the United Kingdom after its exit from the European Union.

It is already causing tensions within the country and risks further complicating Brexit negotiations with the European Union.

Published at midday on Wednesday, these changes aim to "guarantee the fluidity and security of our British internal market", Prime Minister Boris Johnson explained to MPs.

Regarding in particular customs arrangements in Northern Ireland, they are intended to facilitate trade within the United Kingdom, after the end of the post-Brexit transition period, which will end at the end of December.

But by retoking a document having the status of an international treaty, this text "violates international law in a very specific and limited way", by the own admission of the Minister in charge of Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis.

"Serious consequences"

The British bill "would violate international law and undermine confidence" between the two partners, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her part.

This surprise turnaround in London adds fuel to the already difficult negotiations with the European Union on a post-Brexit trade deal.

It exposes London to "serious consequences" from Brussels, warned the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli.

Germany is "waiting" for the UK to "fully" implement the Brexit deal, which London intends to change, German government spokeswoman Maria Adebahr also said on Wednesday.

Irish Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, for his part, compared the British government's maneuver to a "kamikaze" act, which "backfired" against him, causing a wave of negative reactions.

Criticized even in his own camp, including by the former head of government Theresa May, Boris Johnson defended his project in front of the deputies during the weekly session of the questions to the Prime Minister.

The leader of the Scottish SNP separatists in the House of Commons, Ian Blackford, accused him of wanting to create a "rogue state" and of considering himself "above the law".

Michel Barnier wants clarifications

While defending its maneuver, the government is piloting a highly sensitive eighth session of negotiations with the EU which opened on Tuesday, and is to last until Thursday.

Arrived in London, EU negotiator Michel Barnier will seek clarification on these latest developments.

"We are in a constructive spirit, but firm on the substance", declared the French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune, in a joint meeting with his German counterpart Michael Roth, in Berlin.

The original text, the Northern Irish Protocol, aims to ensure the absence of a physical border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, a member of the EU, and to avoid the resurgence of tensions in this bloody region. by three decades of "unrest" until the signing of the Good Friday peace agreement in 1998. The return of customs controls raises fears of renewed tensions in the British province. 

It is about "protecting our country from the extreme or irrational interpretation of the protocol, which could lead to a border in the Irish Sea in a way which, in my opinion, would be detrimental to the interests of the Good Friday agreement and prejudicial to the interests of peace in our country ", argued Boris Johnson.

Uncertain free trade

The UK formally left the EU on January 31, nearly four years after a landmark referendum marking the end of 46 years of a rocky marriage.

But it remains governed by European regulations until the end of December, a transitional period during which the two parties attempt to conclude a free trade agreement.

The outcome of these talks remains uncertain.

Before the start of the eighth round of talks, British negotiator David Frost called on the EU to "be more realistic about the status of independent country" of the United Kingdom.

The negotiations come up against in particular fishing and the conditions of fair competition.

Time is running out, Brussels wanting an agreement by the end of October to allow ratification on time.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned, for his part, that for lack of compromise by the European summit on October 15, he would be satisfied with a "no deal", despite the risks of economic damage in a period of historic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

With AFP and Reuters

With AFP

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