The European Parliament Consent Withdrawal Agreement: What You Need to Know
In March 2019, the United Kingdom formally notified the European Union (EU) of its intention to withdraw from the bloc. Since then, negotiations have been ongoing to strike a withdrawal agreement that is acceptable to both the UK and the EU. On November 14, 2018, the two sides reached a deal, which was later approved by the UK government. The next hurdle was for the European Parliament (EP) to give its consent to the agreement.
However, on January 15, 2019, the EP voted to reject the withdrawal agreement, sending shockwaves throughout Europe. The agreement was voted down by a margin of 432 to 202, the largest defeat for a British government in modern history. The result left the UK government scrambling to find a way forward, while the EU expressed disappointment but remained steadfast in its commitment to finding a workable solution.
So, what exactly is the European Parliament consent withdrawal agreement, and why did the EP reject it? Let`s take a closer look.
What is the European Parliament Consent Withdrawal Agreement?
The European Parliament consent withdrawal agreement is a legally binding agreement between the UK and the EU that covers the terms of the UK`s withdrawal from the bloc. It sets out the conditions for the UK`s departure, such as the financial settlement, the status of EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in the EU, and the arrangements for the border between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (an EU member state).
Why Did the European Parliament Reject the Agreement?
The EP rejected the withdrawal agreement for several reasons. One of the major concerns was the backstop plan for the Irish border. The backstop is a mechanism to ensure that there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland if a comprehensive trade deal is not reached between the UK and the EU. However, many MPs and MEPs feared that the backstop would be a permanent fixture and would keep the UK tied to the EU indefinitely.
Another concern was the lack of clarity around future trade arrangements between the UK and the EU. While the withdrawal agreement covered the terms of the divorce, it did not address the future relationship between the two sides. This left many MPs and MEPs uncertain about what the UK`s trading relationship with the EU would look like after Brexit.
What Happens Next?
Following the EP`s rejection of the withdrawal agreement, the UK government was given a deadline of January 21, 2019, to present an alternative plan. However, the UK government was unable to come up with a viable alternative, and the deadline was extended until April 12, 2019. If the UK can agree on a withdrawal agreement by that date, it will leave the EU with a deal. If not, it will leave without a deal.
Conclusion
The European Parliament consent withdrawal agreement is a crucial document that outlines the terms of the UK`s departure from the EU. The EP`s rejection of the agreement has thrown the Brexit process into disarray and left the UK government scrambling to find a way forward. With just weeks to go until the UK is due to leave the EU, the situation remains highly uncertain, and the fate of the UK`s future relationship with the bloc hangs in the balance.
