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As @theresa_may is reportedly inching closer to an A50 extension, it is necessary to review why the #EP2019 elections are such an important barrier in the #Brexit.
IF the UK is still a member by May 23rd, five different aspects will be affected:
IF the UK is still a member by May 23rd, five different aspects will be affected:
@theresa_may First, British EU nationals in the UK:
As long as the UK is an EU member, they have the right to be represented in the EP. From an EU-27 perspective, this might be treated as a UK problem, but these these British are still EU citizens and would have good a good case in court.
As long as the UK is an EU member, they have the right to be represented in the EP. From an EU-27 perspective, this might be treated as a UK problem, but these these British are still EU citizens and would have good a good case in court.
Second, British EU nationals in the EU27:
As long as the UK is an EU member, they have the right to vote (& stand!) in the EP elections. Should legally not be a problem, but might slightly affect the result in areas with many British citizens. The least problematic bit.
As long as the UK is an EU member, they have the right to vote (& stand!) in the EP elections. Should legally not be a problem, but might slightly affect the result in areas with many British citizens. The least problematic bit.
Third, EU27 citizens in the UK:
This is most problematic - if there are no EP elections in the UK, but the UK is still a member, these @the3million can neither vote in the UK nor their EU countries. Thus #Brexit would rob 1 million+ EU citizens of their vote. Unacceptable.
This is most problematic - if there are no EP elections in the UK, but the UK is still a member, these @the3million can neither vote in the UK nor their EU countries. Thus #Brexit would rob 1 million+ EU citizens of their vote. Unacceptable.
@the3million Fourth: The EU institutions.
If the UK holds #EP2019 elections and is still in the EU by July 2019, its MPs will affect the makeup of EP political groups, the majority in the EP and the next Commission. 73 MEPs with an uncertain future will make finding majorities much harder.
If the UK holds #EP2019 elections and is still in the EU by July 2019, its MPs will affect the makeup of EP political groups, the majority in the EP and the next Commission. 73 MEPs with an uncertain future will make finding majorities much harder.
@the3million Fifth, the legitimacy of the EP itself:
If the UK would fail to organise EP elections and the EP thus had to convence without British MEPs, all decisions this 'EP27' would take could then be questioned in court. This would cast a huge shadow over EU decisions in critical times.
If the UK would fail to organise EP elections and the EP thus had to convence without British MEPs, all decisions this 'EP27' would take could then be questioned in court. This would cast a huge shadow over EU decisions in critical times.
@the3million My conclusion from this: If faced with an extension request, the EU-27 should accept only one of two options:
a) a short technical extension until end of April, if Withdrawal Agreement already passed. Extending into 22nd of May would lead to #Brexit overshadowing #EP2019.
a) a short technical extension until end of April, if Withdrawal Agreement already passed. Extending into 22nd of May would lead to #Brexit overshadowing #EP2019.
@the3million Or:
b) an extension until the end of 2019 at the least, to secure citizens rights, the EU institutional transition and give the UK time to find a different political path either by general elections or a 2nd referendum or both. /ends
b) an extension until the end of 2019 at the least, to secure citizens rights, the EU institutional transition and give the UK time to find a different political path either by general elections or a 2nd referendum or both. /ends
@the3million Would be interested in your thoughts @anandMenon1 @davidallengreen @StevePeers @AndrewDuffEU
