Thread by @pietercleppe

My latest @telegraph comment: This may well be the EU’s last chance to avoid a no-deal Brexit. But will they take it?telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…
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Boris Johnson's future as PM may hinge on whether he can avoid having to request a three-month extension on 18 October.

Brussels may now be strategising on the basis that, if they grant an extension, a @UKLabour government, intent on stopping a no deal #Brexit, could well come to power - and such a situation may work to Brussels' advantage.

The EU should not, however, waste the time between now and 18 October by simply waiting for the extension. These may be the last weeks for them to avert a #nodealbrexit. Extending Article 50 does not automatically stop no deal.

With Boris Johnson, the EU have “the Devil they know”. What if an extension is followed by a general election, in which Boris Johnson is obliged to back #nodeal in order to forge an alliance with @brexitparty_uk? What if the Conservatives win an absolute majority based on that?

Therefore, the EU might want to look more seriously into what @BorisJohnson is offering now. It’s hard to accuse Mr Johnson of not wanting a deal. Although the PM has moved on food checks in the Irish Sea, the EU and the Irish government have not softened their positions.

Some UK commentators have pointed out that due to the loss of a majority, the DUP are now “irrelevant” to Boris, so an Irish Sea border of some sort may therefore be easier. This may well be the EU’s last chance for a deal-based Brexit.

My latest @Telegraph comment: This may well be the EU’s last chance to avoid a no-deal #Brexit. But will they take it?
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…