EU leaders formally agreed Friday to open crucial talks on a future relationship with Britain but warned they would be even tougher than the first torturous phase of negotiations. A day after applauding British Prime Minister at a summit in Brussels for the progress made so far, her 27 counterparts endorsed an interim deal on […]
Brexit
Britain facing annual budget in shadow of Brexit
Britain’s Conservative government unveils its annual budget Wednesday, against the backdrop of looming Brexit and sluggish economic growth. Finance minister Philip Hammond will deliver his annual tax and spend plans before parliament at 1230 GMT. Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond will vow to “invest to secure a bright future for Britain” according to excerpts of […]
EU Brexit chief preparing for ‘possible’ failure
EU Brexit chief Michel Barnier said Sunday that he is making contingency plans for the “possible” failure of divorce talks with Britain, which he has given two weeks to reach preliminary agreement on key issues. “It’s not my (preferred) option,” he told French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD). “But it’s a possibility. Everyone needs […]
EU’s Barnier gives Britain two-week Brexit deadline
EU Brexit chief Michel Barnier on Friday handed Britain a two-week ultimatum to make concessions on a divorce agreement if it wants to unlock the next phase of talks in December. Frenchman Barnier said it was “vital” for Britain to increase its offer on its exit bill — a figure senior EU officials put at […]
Austrian ‘whizz-kid’ projected to triumph in election
Austria’s political “whizz-kid” Sebastian Kurz, 31, looked on course to become Europe’s youngest leader, likely in coalition with the far-right, after his conservative party was projected to come first in elections. Projections put Kurz’s People’s Party (OeVP) on 30.2 per cent, followed by the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) on 26.8 per cent and incumbent Chancellor […]