European Parliament lawmakers on September 18 voted overwhelmingly in favour of ar Brexit delay if Britain requests one and certain conditions are met after European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told chamber that a -deal scenario remains “very real.” After a three-hour debate, lawmakers opted a n-binding resolution supporting ar extension to Brexit deline. Lawmakers voted 544-126 with 38 abstentions in Strasbourg. Despite claims from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that U.K. will leave on scheduled October 31 date with or without a withdrawal agreement, EU leers are expected to discuss possibility of ar postponement at a two-day summit in Brussels next month if progress toward a deal has been me by n.

Parliament's condition

Britain’s departure from 28-nation bloc has alrey been delayed twice. EU lawmakers put conditions in resolution, saying y would only support an extension if it was justified by a specific purpose such as “avoiding a -deal departure, holding general elections or a referendum, revoking Article 50 ( procedure that triggered Brexit process), or approving (current) withdrawal agreement. “Speaking at parliament before vote, Juncker, who met Johnson on Monday, said a -deal Brexit “might be choice of U.K., but it will never be ours.” main sticking point over a Brexit deal is Irish border backstop, which would require Britain to respect EU tre and customs rules in order to avoid a hard border between EU member Ireland and U.K.’s rrn Ireland until a better solution is found. 

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Resolution by EU lawmakers

In ir resolution, EU lawmakers also pledged to reject any deal without a backstop and insisted Britain will be “solely responsible for a -deal departure.” European Parliament must endorse any Brexit deal for it to be implemented. EU leers have me clear that any amendment to current proposed divorce deal should preserve bloc’s single market and uphold Good Friday peace agreement that ended deces of conflict in rrn Ireland.

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“I have sentimental attachment to backstop That is why I called on British prime minister to come forward with concrete proposals, operational and in writing on all alternatives that would allow us to reach se objectives,” Juncker said, ding, however, that he remains committed to purpose it serves, which is to prevent border structures that could be detrimental to peace in rrn Ireland.

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Despite his declaration that Britain will leave on Oct. 31 “do or die,” Johnson insists he can strike a revised divorce deal with bloc in time for an orderly departure. European leers are sceptical of that declaration. “I asked British prime minister to specify alternative arrangements that he could envis,” Juncker said. “As long as such proposals are t me, I cant tell you — while looking you straight in eye — that progress is being me.” Brexit agreement me with EU by Johnson’s predecessor, resa May, was rejected three times by Britain’s Parliament, prompting May to resign and fiercely pro-Brexit Johnson to come to power in July.

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