Brexit: The "no deal" is looming and protest swells

EU negotiator Michel Barnier has ruled Sunday to renegotiate the divorce agreement with the UK, reinforcing the assumption of a hard Brexit on October 31 before an intense political wrestling on the Brexit this week in the UK -United.

It is out of the question to renegotiate the Irish safety net (or "backstop"), which Boris Johnson wants to offload the withdrawal agreement concluded by the former head of government Theresa May with the EU, said Barnier in a column published by the Sunday Telegraph.

This provision provides that, for lack of a better solution after a transitional period, the entire United Kingdom remains in a "single customs territory" with the EU.

Unacceptable for Boris Johnson: this would prevent the United Kingdom from following an independent commercial policy, since it would still be subject to European rules.

"The backstop represents the maximum flexibility that the EU can offer to a non-member state," writes the EU negotiator. This is necessary, he stresses, to preserve the integrity of the single European market and to keep open the border between British Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (EU Member State) after Brexit.

"I'm not optimistic about the possibility of avoiding the scenario of a + no deal +," he adds.

– Get away from the "precipice" –

Boris Johnson, who came to power at the end of July, promised to release the United Kingdom from the European bloc at any cost on October 31, whether or not a compromise could be reached with Brussels, in order to respect the will of the British who had chosen the Brexit at 52% in a referendum in 2016.

Saying he wants to prepare a new national policy program, the leader announced Wednesday a suspension of Parliament for about five weeks from the second week of September and until October 14.

But opponents of a hard Brexit see a maneuver to prevent them from blocking an exit without a parachute. They are preparing for a showdown with the head of government as soon as Parliament comes back on Tuesday for a stormy session.

MEPs will try to legislate to counter a "no deal". A motion of censure is also considered against the government, whose majority in the House of Commons is only one vote.

"We simply have to stop ourselves from going out without an agreement," said Keir Starmer, the Brexit leader in the Labor Party, the main opposition party. Such a law would require postponing the date of divorce, he said.

"We are working with other parties to do all that is necessary to move our country away from the precipice," said Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn in Salford, northwestern, on Monday, where Labor brings his ghost cabinet together. an extract from his speech transmitted by his services.

– Expulsion from the party –

In turn, Boris Johnson raised his voice. He warned that Conservative MPs who would vote against the executive would be expelled from the party, reported several newspapers Sunday night. A measure that would undermine its own majority, fueling speculation about the imminence of anticipated general elections.

A scheduled meeting Monday with Tories rebels was also canceled.

Michael Gove, the minister responsible for preparations for an exit without agreement, also shocked left and right on Sunday, refusing to say on the BBC whether the executive would comply with a law blocking an exit without agreement.

The battle against the "no deal" and the parliamentary suspension will also take place on the judicial front, and in the street.

On Tuesday, Scotland's highest civilian court will consider a request from pro-EU MPs to counter the suspension. A lawsuit by anti-Brexit activist Gina Miller, joined by former Conservative Prime Minister John Major, will be considered Thursday in London.

Other demonstrations are also planned after thousands of Britons protested Saturday against the "coup" of Boris Johnson.

The scenario of a "no deal", feared by the economic circles, is fearing the restoration of customs duties and shortages.

"No, there will be no shortage of fresh food," wanted to reassure Michael Gove, admitting however that some prices would rise. The executive launched Sunday a media campaign to inform the public and businesses on the steps required for the Brexit.

LNT with Afp