France wants Brexit to happen, not in favour of another extension

As the European officials are set to converge on October 25 in order to discuss the duration of extending the Brexit deadline from October 31, French President Emmanuel Macron is favouring a quick Brexit. The British parliament had accepted Prime Minister Boris Johnson's European Union Withdrawl Bill on October 22. However, they also voted against the fast track timetable which according to the lawmakers, did not give them adequate time to scrutinize the bill. The request for a delay by the parliament was also received by the European leaders, who are willing to give a three-month delay or a Brexit in two stages, except France.

Worries for France

Similar to when Brexit extension debates were in full swing during April, France is again rooting for a sharp, short, and a quick Brexit this time. The French president worries that another 12-week extension would lead to more indecisiveness from Britain or the general elections which might also leave Brexit in uncertainty. After the UK House of Commons rejected the Withdrawl Bill's timetable with votes, 322 to 308, PM Johnson had threatened to pull the pill and start general elections. According to the UK leader, if the present Parliament can not come together to make Brexit happen, the elections would get him a 'new one'. 

Read - EU Ambassadors Meet In Brussels Over Brexit Delay Talks

'Rather shift attention'

Reportedly, President Macron is fed up with the ongoing talks of Britain's divorce from the 28-nation bloc and being EU's centre of focus since the beginning. The French leader would rather Brexit happen and shift priorities to other things like the UK-EU trade deal which again would take a series of long and complex debates to reach a negotiation. Moreover, last month President Macron had also threatened the EU to veto on any further delay on Brexit issue while losing patience. However, it is still unlikely that France would take such a step. 

Read - For Businesses, Brexit Is Happening Already

PM Johnson seeks general elections

The Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Boris Johnson said on October 24 that he will give more time to the members of the Parliament for more discussion on the European Union Withdrawl Bill, only if they agree to general elections on December 12. This also means that after years of struggle, PM Johnson has finally abandoned his wish to get Brexit done by October 31, with or without a deal. The UK leader wrote to the Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn saying that he will give the British Parliament one last chance to scrutinize his withdrawal bill by November 6 under the Fixed-term Parliament Act on October 29 and ask for an early general election. 

Read - UK: Boris Johnson Seeks December 12 Election 'to Get Brexit Done'

Read - EU Leaders Support British Parliament's Decision To Delay Brexit Again

(With agency inputs)