New Delhi: United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a bittersweet day at the Parliament Tuesday.
While the House of Commons (lower house) approved the PM’s Brexit bill, it voted down the proposal of leaving the European Union (EU) by the stipulated 31-October deadline, reported the BBC.
Johnson was earlier forced by the British Parliament to write to the EU, seeking a three-month extension for the Brexit deadline.
Now the British prime minister has said that if the EU agrees to extend the deadline, he would be forced to call a general election. In the meanwhile, EU leaders are discussing whether to grant the extension or not.
What happened to Brexit bills?
On Tuesday, MPs approved Boris Johnson’s “Withdrawal Agreement Bill on its first hurdle through the Commons — called the second reading — by 329 votes to 299”, the report said.
But just minutes later, the Parliament rejected a bill “by a majority of 14 — in a second vote on a fast-tracked timetable for the bill”, the report added.
These votes effectively mean the British Parliament has agreed to the Brexit bill, which outlines the future relationship between the EU and UK, once the latter leaves the union. But it has rejected the prime minister’s proposal to comply with the existing deadline, arguing that more time was required.
How the EU looks at this
Meanwhile, European Council president Donald Tusk said that he would recommend an extension of the Brexit deadline to the EU leaders. The European Council is the key intergovernmental body in EU.
Tusk, however, didn’t specify how long the extension might be.
Reacting to the developments, French President Emmanuel Macron said that “another delay” should not be granted, a CNBC report said.
“The BBC’s Europe editor Katya Adler said most of the people in EU circles she had spoken to were tempted to grant the extension to 31 January laid out in the so-called Benn Act – the law aimed at preventing no-deal,” noted the BBC report.
Snap election?
Reacting to these developments, Boris Johnson’s justice secretary Robert Buckland said it was “undeniably frustrating” to have lost the second vote. He added that if the EU decides to extend the deadline, then “a general election is the only way to sort this impasse out”.
The reason why Johnson prefers another election is because he does not have parliamentary majority.
With a fresh election, he hopes that his Conservative Party can regain its parliamentary majority and ensure a quick Brexit.
While the impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump has gathered some steam in October 2019 , a general keenness to weigh its strength has also gained momentum. The developing story surrounding impeachment inquiry looks to be corresponding to this Vedic astrology writer’s predictive article “ Mid 2019 to November 2020 for President Donald Trump – a Vedic astrology view” published on 1 June 2019 in monthly Webzine of Wisdom Magazine at wisdom-magazine.com/Article.aspx/5060/. As we are in October 2019 , the following prediction made nearly five months prior on 1 May in the said article looks to be prophetic and precisely relevant :-
“ The month of October in present year 2019 looks to be particularly worrisome , calling for more care , appropriate strategy and much needed patience. Machinations or designs of those opposing him , within the US or from among global community , can gather more steam. Some friends may likely distance with him. Severe storms or earthquake or volcano eruption in vulnerable regions in the US are likely. Some worrisome concerns related to energy resources or food stuff or communal issues can be likely.”