German parliament sends clear signal against re-opening Brexit negotiations

Source: Xinhua| 2018-12-13 22:05:39|Editor: xuxin
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BERLIN, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The German Bundestag has sent a clear signal against re-opening the Brexit deal that was negotiated between Brussels and London and passed a motion which says "that the finely balanced overall package cannot be unraveled" on Thursday.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in his speech in parliament that "there is no basis for unravelling this agreement," and added that he saw no reason to alter the German position. "Nothing will change about that either."

Commenting on the vote of no confidence against Minister Theresa May on Wednesday evening, Maas called it "gratifying" that the British Prime Minister had survived the vote. "The result, however, offers no reason to conclude that the majority situation in the House of Commons has improved in any way compared to the withdrawal agreement."

On Thursday, the European heads of state and governments will once again deal with the British exit plans during an EU summit where they will seek to ensure that the final treaty finds a majority in the British parliament in order to avoid a chaotic separation at the end of March.

The German industry remains worried about the state of affairs. Joachim Lang, director of the federation of German industries (BDI), appealed to those responsible in London to organize a majority as quickly as possible in order to avert a hard Brexit. Otherwise, companies will have to work flat out to "implement the necessary emergency measures".

Germany's trade association's (BGA) president head Holger Bingmann does not rule further U-turn by the British in the "seemingly endless history of Britain's withdrawal from the EU."

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