A few days before the crucial Brexit votes in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Theresa May has forced the EU to make concessions. The EU’s decisions in the coming days „will have a big impact on the outcome of the vote,“ May said in a speech today, according to pre-published statements.
„We are both part of this process. It is in the interest of Europe that the United Kingdom withdraws from a treaty. „The Prime Minister reiterated that her government continues to demand legally binding changes to the controversial Northern Ireland catch-up solution. The „backstop“ clause hinders acceptance of the exit agreement in the British House of Commons.
Withdrawal contract rejected so far
„Just as the parliamentarians have to make a big decision next week, the EU must also make a decision,“ said May in her speech to workers in the East English port of Grimsby. The Brexit negotiators from Britain and the EU will meet again this weekend.
The British House of Commons had rejected the withdrawal treaty negotiated with the EU in January with 432 to 202 votes. May wants to bring the agreement again in the parliament on Tuesday to the vote – only a good two weeks before the planned EU exit on 29 March. For weeks May has been trying to persuade the EU to make concessions in the „backstop“ question.
Last week, the House of Commons approved a three-stage plan by the Prime Minister to crack down on Brexit. If the Brexit agreement is rejected again on 12th March, MEPs vote on withdrawal on the following day without a contract. If this is also rejected, they decide on 14 March on a postponement of the withdrawal date.
