Brussels: The European Commission Friday indicated that Britons would need to choose their representatives to the next European Parliament if the country were to stay in the EU beyond the first sitting of the new assembly July 2.
Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a regular news briefing that the EU executive arm had not received any request from London for an extension of the March 29th deadline to leave the EU and therefore such a discussion was theoretical.
“We, as the guardian of EU treaties, suggest caution with any suggestion that the right of EU citizens to vote in the European Parliament elections according to the rules that are applicable could be called into question,” Schinas said.
“We have a legally composed European Parliament which requires directly elected MEPs from all member states at the latest on the first day of the new term of the new Parliament, which this time is the second of July,” he said.
“This is the legal situation. As guardians of the treaty we would prefer to stay within the applicable legal order,” he said.
European Parliament requires directly elected MEPs from all member states at the latest on the first day of the new term of the new Parliament, which this time is the second of July
Margaritis Schinas| Spokesman, European Commission
Meanwhile, Britons who have changed their minds since voting to leave the European Union in 2016 are among those uniting to call for another chance to reverse the decision. These “Remainer now” voters, former Brexit supporters, are adding their voices to the chorus of calls for a second referendum amid political paralysis in Britain over the issue.
Brexit crisis: May to call EU’s Juncker
Brussels: Prime Minister Theresa May will talk by telephone to EU president Jean-Claude Juncker at the British leader’s request, EU officials said. May and Juncker have only been in touch by text message since Tuesday, when the British Parliament rejected their Brexit divorce deal. “President Juncker will talk to Prime Minister May at her request,” European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said. “I don’t know how decisive or not this will be.” British politicians are now wrangling over how to get out of the impasse, which could see Britain crash out of the union without a deal March 29.
EU leaders have so far ruled out renegotiating the agreement, but have signalled they could postpone the withdrawal if May comes up with a plan.