With a Plan B, the British Prime Minister wants to explain her solution to the Brexit dispute with Parliament. The skepticism is great, even in the federal government.
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May wants to present to members of the House of Commons in London this afternoon how a regular exit from the EU should succeed. That she presents a concrete plan B is not necessarily to be expected. It is more likely in London that the Conservative head of government is presenting a roadmap for reaching consensus in Parliament. On January 29, the House of Commons will debate and vote on May’s proposal. MEPs have the opportunity to change the draft resolution.
On Tuesday last week, MEPs May had a historic defeat when they voted by a large majority against the EU-negotiated exit agreement. May then had to submit a vote of no confidence – was confirmed by a small majority of MPs in office. As a result, the Prime Minister began negotiations and talks with several opposition representatives, top representatives of the EU and EU heads of state such as Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU).
However, there are doubts that the head of government is serious about finding a consensus. Some observers believe May may be timely and hopes to attract enough MPs for their deal as March 29 – the date for the planned withdrawal from the European Union – approaches.
Should it fail, a so-called no-deal-Brexit threatens – with drastic consequences for the economy and other areas of life. A majority of MEPs want to prevent such a scenario.
A bilateral plan with Ireland to resolve the Northern Ireland issue?
A sticking point in the negotiations is the catch-up solution for the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and Ireland, which has been laid down in the Brexit Agreement. The so-called backstop provides for the United Kingdom to remain in a customs union with the EU unless otherwise agreed. The Brexit hardliners fear that Britain would remain bound to the EU for an indefinite period of time.
According to the Sunday Times , May is planning a bilateral agreement with Ireland to find a solution to the Northern Ireland issue. The Prime Minister wanted to circumvent the catching-up solution. Conservative MP Graham Brady told the BBC that if the problem of backstop could be resolved, the exit agreement would be approved by Parliament.
However, Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney made it clear that his government is sticking to the exit agreement negotiated between London and Brussels – including the backstop.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas was also skeptical: „It is a bit of a mystery what the British government wants to negotiate with Dublin,“ said the SPD politician on Sunday evening on the ZDF broadcast in Berlin directly. Such a possible „supplementary agreement“ would „have no effect on what has been agreed with the Commission“.
Maas said he has „great expectations“ of May’s announcements. Addressing the British MPs, he said, „Ultimately, it’s not enough to decide what you do not want in London, but you have to decide what you want.“ The Bild newspaper said Maas, Britain must now „serious and objective to seek a way out“. For many Europeans, „a lot is at stake“.
