About ten weeks before the planned Brexit meeting on October 31, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is diplomatically going on the offensive. He continues to insist that the Brexit Treaty with the EU be reopened.
So far, he bit with his change requests on granite. In Paris, Berlin and at the G-7 summit in Biarritz, he wants to give further weight to his demands in the coming days.
It is still all about the controversial „backstop“, which aims to avoid border controls between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Johnson had already addressed Monday a letter to EU Council President Donald Tusk, calling for the cancellation of the agreed guarantee clause for an open border in Ireland.
Because Britain must remain part of the customs union through the backstop, the clause is undemocratic and violates Britain’s sovereignty, Johnson said. At the same time, he emphasized that the exit agreement with the EU was a „top priority“ for his government.
Instead, Johnson suggested agreeing to waive border controls. By the end of a transition period, „alternative agreements“ will be found that would eliminate controls and be part of a future trade agreement. In the event that this does not succeed in time, Johnson promises to „constructively and flexibly look at what commitments could help.“
„No realistic alternatives“
But Brussels waved off: Johnson offer no „realistic alternatives“ to the „backstop“ rule. „The ‚backstop‘ is a hedge against a hard barrier on the island of Ireland until an alternative is found,“ Tusk said Tuesday in response to the Johnson letter. „Those who oppose the ‚backstop‘ and suggest no realistic alternatives actually support the restoration of a border. Even if they do not admit it. “
Elsewhere, Johnson will have a hard time enforcing his request. On Wednesday he meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. However, she already stressed that the EU did not want to re-enforce the treaty. At the same time, she underlined that the 27 EU member states were acting on this point. „Otherwise, Britain will decide for itself which way to go.“
The letter was Johnson’s first official push as head of government to even talk to the EU. But now many meetings are imminent: After the conversation with Merkel Johnson meets on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron.
At the weekend, Johnson then travels to the G-7 meeting in Biarritz, France. In advance he discussed with US President Donald Trump on Monday and informed him about the latest status at Brexit. Johnson also spoke with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne, who is currently chairing EU countries.
„Friends and partners a bit negative“
„At the moment, it is absolutely true that our friends and partners are a bit negative,“ said the head of government on Tuesday in front of the press. But you will certainly find each other. „I think there is a real understanding that something has to be done with this ‚backstop‘.“
Fear of chaos grows
Johnson insisted in a tweet on Tuesday that the EU would give way even more, but that one would have to adjust to a withdrawal without a contract. He wants to bring Britain out of the European Union on October 31st. Because the final exit agreement did not find a majority in the British Parliament, the fear of a chaotic break with drastic economic consequences is growing. Changes to the contract are intended to avert this after Johnson’s presentation.
However, observers note that Johnson’s demands for a complete cancellation of the „backstop“ clause are demonstratively high. This also raises doubts about Johnson’s willingness to compromise, as the British „Guardian“ writes. The letter could therefore only be a maneuver to demonstrate to the public that he is working on a deal. If there is no agreement, Johnson could still accuse the EU of driving the UK into a „no deal“ Brexit.
