Two days before the formalization of the Brexit, the European Parliament ratified by an overwhelming majority, on Wednesday 29 January, the treaty for the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and bid farewell to British deputies.
Unsurprisingly, MEPs agreed with 621 votes in favor, 49 against, and 13 abstentions. The opponents are mainly elected officials from across the Renew, Social Democrat and Green centrist groups. It was the last major step in ratifying the agreement, three and a half years after the Brexit referendum and almost half a century after the UK joined.
Immediately after the vote, which sealed the departure of British MEPs, a number of elected officials joined hands in the hemicycle and started Scottish song “Auld Lang Syne” (This is just a goodbye), some brandishing scarves in the colors of the British and European flags.
“We will always love you and we will never be far away”, promised European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to departing MEPs in a pre-election debate. ” We will miss you “, she assured. “I regret that the UK has chosen to be lonely rather than to be united. It’s obviously a sad and serious day. It is a weakening for both sides “, lamented EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who is now responsible for discussions on the future relationship with London.
“Today’s vote is not for or against Brexit, it is a vote for an orderly Brexit, against a wild Brexit”, underlined the Belgian Guy Verhofstadt, rapporteur of the file. However, he conceded that Brexit was “Also a failure of the Union”. And called for a reformed, more efficient Europe, free from the rules of unanimity and exceptional regimes.
“Brexit is a lesson for all of us”
“If people are turning away from the European project, it is because they feel that EU policies serve, above all, the interests of a minority at the expense of the majority. Brexit is a lesson for all of us ”, also warned Belgian Greens MP Philippe Lamberts.
The debate was the final highlight for Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, who celebrated a victory for the “Populism” on globalization, before acting with his Union Jack colleagues, in violation of the rules of Parliament. Which earned them a call to order. The leader of the Social Democrats (S&D) in the hemicycle, the Spanish Iratxe Garcia, who could not hold back her tears during a departure ceremony for the elected Labor representatives, said ” devastated “ by this departure.
“It is a sad day for our parliament”, regretted David Sassoli, president of the institution. “On a day like this, you have to stay even more united”, he wished. “Arrivederci”, he said to the starters.
Brexit effective Friday at midnight
Throughout the day, Parliament was swarming with unusual crowds, with many media flocking to tell the story live. A farewell reception is planned after the vote, while the pro Brexit have planned most of their celebrations at home.
The UK’s representative to the EU, Tim Barrow, tabled with the European Council on Wednesday morning the official document showing that London has fulfilled all of its legal obligations to leave the EU. The very last step will be the adoption by written procedure of the treaty on Thursday by the Council (the member states). Brexit will be effective Friday at 11 p.m. in London, midnight in Paris. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will speak to the nation an hour before the deadline. “This is a great moment for our country, a moment of hope (…) but also a moment to find yourself with confidence”he said on Facebook on Wednesday.
A chapter closes, a new and equally difficult period of negotiations opens: during the transition period until the end of December, during which the United Kingdom will continue to apply Community rules, the EU and London will having to agree on their future relationship, especially commercial.
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