Irish PM Says EU Has Taken Control of Timeline: Brexit Update

Mar 22 2019, 12:24 PMMar 22 2019, 2:58 PMMarch 22 2019, 12:24 PMMarch 22 2019, 2:58 PM

(Bloomberg) -- Theresa May plans to hold a third vote on her Brexit deal next week, after the European Union staved off the threat of the U.K. crashing out of the bloc next Friday by allowing a two-week extension. Parliament will start voting on alternatives next week.

Time stamps are Brussels time.

Key Developments:

Even if May can’t get her Brexit deal ratified next week, she’ll have until April 12 to decide whether to leave without agreement or request a much longer extension
U.K. official says government plans to put deal to Parliament vote next week, likely Tuesday or Wednesday
May’s spokesman says Speaker John Bercow must decide whether to accept another vote on deal
May’s position at home is looking increasingly fragile
Another summit will be called before April 11

Leaders Look to U.K. Parliament for Clarity (3:49 p.m.)

EU leaders will come back together again before April 11 and leaders signaled they’re looking forward to what potential compromise options the U.K. government throws up.

Parliament is due to start voting next week on possible alternatives to May’s plan.

"We will of course meet again before this date, surely also with the British prime minister," Merkel said. "We will then have to see what the voting results of the U.K. parliament are, because there are numerous options about which the parliament can vote."

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar also noted that the extension opened the way for the so-called indicative votes.

Merkel Says May’s Fight for Her Deal Remarkable (3:45 p.m.)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised Theresa May’s efforts and energy in agreeing an exit deal with the EU.

“She is fighting for that, and I find that remarkable,” Merkel told a news conference in Brussels. “And she also gave the impression last night in the meeting with us that she continues fighting for that.”

Irish PM Says EU Took Control of Timeline (3:20 p.m.)

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the bloc has taken control of the Brexit timeline from the British, while also cutting the U.K. "some slack."

Now the path is open for Parliament to hold non-binding votes on the way ahead, and he wouldn’t rule out the U.K. coming back for an extension of nine to 12 months or longer.

As leaders hashed out the terms of the short extension last night, there were difference, Varadkar said, as some countries "are sick of this."

Tusk Says Preparing for Worst, Hoping for Best (3:13 p.m.)

EU Council President Donald Tusk said the bloc is preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best on Brexit. "The fate of Brexit is in the hands of our British friends. We are prepared for the worst but hope for the best. As you know, hope dies last," he told reporters.

He also noted that revoking Article 50 remained an option, and it was the U.K.’s prerogative. Tusk, who has made no secret of the fact he laments the U.K.’s departure, told a British journalist: "I am more pro-British than you."

Former Minister Says May Can’t Last Long (1:40 p.m.)

Former Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said she thinks Theresa May doesn’t have long left as prime minister, whether she gets her deal approved by Parliament or not.

Even if May delivers Brexit, “she can’t be the person to lead phase two" of the negotiations, which will focus on future trading arrangements, Morgan said on Friday in an interview.

If a third meaningful vote on May’s deal doesn’t go well, "I cannot see how her withdrawal agreement can be voted for again,” Morgan said. She added that Parliament would then try to find a different path and May “cannot hang around’’ to negotiate that.

Cancel-Brexit Petition Passes 3 Million Names (1:20 p.m.)

The petition calling for the government to stop Brexit by revoking Article 50 passed 3 million signatures on Friday morning.

Govt Still Talking to DUP on Brexit (1:15 p.m.)

Theresa May’s spokesman, James Slack, told reporters discussions with the Northern Irish DUP, which props up the government, are ongoing ahead of the expected third vote on the prime minister’s Brexit deal next week. May will also continue talks with colleagues over the weekend, Slack said.

He also pointed out that it was up to Speaker John Bercow whether to accept another vote on the deal, adding that the government hopes the EU’s approval of assurances on the backstop negotiated between May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker ahead of the last vote would mean Bercow allows it.

Shifting the Brexit deadline will also require secondary legislation to be approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, Slack said. Speaking in Parliament, Brexit minister Kwasi Kwarteng said the government would submit a motion to that effect early next week.

Next Vote on Deal Likely Tuesday or Wednesday (10:50 a.m.)

According to a U.K. official, the government is planning to bring back Theresa May’s Brexit deal to Parliament next week, most likely on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Meanwhile in Parliament, Brexit minister Kwasi Kwarteng told MPs the government is committed to holding another vote next week.