European ambassadors meet tonight for discussion on Tusk’s recommendations - what Johnson has told him will be critical
It’s fair to say he’s jumped the gun, forced the issue, chances for disagreement have risen and thus another #EUCO
So written procedure is still the plan but odds are shortening on a summit
So written procedure is still the plan but odds are shortening on a summit
So we might well not get sign off today - French expected to moan but not (YET) to drag everyone to Brussels. Macron's Jupiterian is just rumour
EU increasingly hoping that Johnson can get elections within next three months amid fears his majority will not hold on WAB votes.
Some of the questions that will be discussed:
Some of the questions that will be discussed:
What happens when EU comes in on either side of the Benn Act request? Will the EU get drawn in an internal political debate?
Is Johnson’s ‘second reading’ majority going to hold? Can anyone bank on that?
Does Johnson want a) the deal first and then elections? Or b) does he want elections and then the deal?
Does Johnson want a) the deal first and then elections? Or b) does he want elections and then the deal?
If it is a) he will not want to go to polls with an amended salami sliced deal. That would explain a short timetable
EU tending to assume b) - that PM wants time for an election and therefore the Benn act date. But can get elections?
EU tending to assume b) - that PM wants time for an election and therefore the Benn act date. But can get elections?
If no elections EU worried that everyone will be back in the same place in Feb 2020
