British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to make any extension of the transition period beyond the Brexit beyond 2020 impossible. The transitional period can currently be extended to two years.
Johnson wants to amend the Brexit law – the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – so that the transition period that takes effect after the Brexit automatically ends on December 31, 2020.
The transition period starts on 1 February, after the formal Brexit, and means that the UK is no longer an EU member state, but continues to apply all European rules, norms and standards.
The country also remains a member of the European customs union and the internal market. That should allow for a smooth transition and enable British and European negotiators to negotiate a trade agreement.
However, due to the complexity of these negotiations, the Brexit agreement provides for the possibility of extending the transition period once-only by a maximum of two years.
If London and Brussels fail to reach such an agreement in the space of less than a year, the United Kingdom and the EU will trade according to the rules of the World Trade Organization.
At the Johnson cabinet, the plans of the prime minister are logical. “Last week the public voted for a government that will realise the Brexit and allow the country to move forward. That is precisely what we want to do from this week on, “it says. “Our program clearly stated that we would not extend the transition period.”
The European negotiators doubt that an agreement can be settled in 11 months.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, MPs elected last week take the oath. On Thursday, Queen Elizabeth will explain in her Queen’s Speech the priorities of Johnson’s government for the next legislature. It is expected that MEPs can vote on the Brexit agreement for the first time on Friday.