EU to discuss ‘no-deal Brexit scenario'

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS

The European Council president said Monday that the EU will discuss a no-deal scenario after British Prime Minister Theresa May postponed a vote on Brexit deal.

“We will not renegotiate the deal, including the backstop, but we are ready to discuss how to facilitate U.K. ratification. As time is running out, we will also discuss our preparedness for a no-deal scenario,” Donald Tusk said in a tweet.

“I have decided to call #EUCO on #Brexit (Art. 50) on Thursday,” Tusk added.

I have decided to call #EUCO on #Brexit (Art. 50) on Thursday. We will not renegotiate the deal, including the backstop, but we are ready to discuss how to facilitate UK ratification. As time is running out, we will also discuss our preparedness for a no-deal scenario.

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) December 10, 2018

Earlier on Monday, May announced the postponement of Tuesday’s planned Brexit vote, as the deal “would be rejected by a significant margin”.

The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland -- the only land border between the U.K. and the EU -- and the government’s arrangements at preventing a hard border from being put in place is the main source of contention amongst the MPs on May’s deal.

In 2017, May notified the European Council of the U.K.’s intention to withdraw from the 28-member bloc under Article 50 TEU (Treaty on European Union).