Brussels rejects Boris Johnson's quest for a new Brexit deal | Policy

Brussels has firmly rebuffed Boris Johnson after putting in place tough conditions for the new Brexit deal he hopes to conclude this summer.

Addressing the House of Commons for the first time as Prime Minister on Thursday, Johnson reiterated his campaign pledge in favor of abandoning Irish support and promised to speed up the preparations for A Brexit without agreement immediately.

"I would prefer that we leave the EU with an agreement," he said. "I would much rather do it. I believe that this is possible even at this advanced stage and I will work hard to make it happen.

"But some things must be clear: the withdrawal agreement negotiated by my predecessor was rejected three times by this badembly; its terms are unacceptable for this parliament and for this country. "

In a phone call later in the day, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the EU27 was determined to stick to the negotiated agreement with the government of Theresa May – who understands the support.

"President Juncker has listened to Prime Minister Johnson's remarks, reiterating the EU's position that the withdrawal agreement is the best and only possible agreement – in line with European Council directives" said a spokesman for the commission.

Juncker told Johnson that the EU was willing to "add wording" to the political statement – the non-binding document that covers future relations – but that it only considered any other proposal " provided that it is compatible with the withdrawal agreement ". The spokesman added that the two men had exchanged their cell phone numbers.

Previously, Johnson had presented to a noisy commune his vision of a post-Brexit Britain in 2050 as "the largest and most prosperous economy in Europe at the center of a new network". 39, commercial agreements ".

In a speech that was hailed by many Conservative MPs, he said that all members of his new cabinet were urging him to leave the EU on October 31 "whatever the circumstances – and if not, it would lead to a catastrophic loss of confidence in our political system. "

He also stated that he would intensify preparations for the abolition of the agreement, which his official spokesman later confirmed would risk including additional expenses, as well as 39, a major public information campaign. Michael Gove will coordinate planning in the absence of a transaction within the government.

The Irish government has expressed concern over Johnson's approach to Brexit, as tension began to mount because of the increased risk of non-agreement. Michael Creed, Irish Minister of Agriculture, described as "alarming" the position of the new government and the composition of Johnson's highest team.

"The makeup of this government seems to be a reflection of the [Johnson’s] his point of view in a substantial way and obviously it would concern us, "he told RTÉ radio.

"What is the [Irish] The government is now concerned about the new UK administration's approach to the withdrawal agreement, "he said. [UK] the government is alarming enough. "

In Brussels, Michel Barnier warned that such "combative" rhetoric was an attempt to break the unity of the EU. In a note sent to diplomats, the bloc's chief negotiator advised the EU-27 to stick to its principles in the face of the Prime Minister's non-transaction threats.

"Prime Minister Johnson said that if an agreement is to be reached, the safety net must be eliminated. This is of course unacceptable and does not fall within the mandate of the European Council, "he warned.

In comments that indicated growing conviction in Brussels that the United Kingdom was heading for general elections, Barnier wrote: "I also note the many strong reactions to the speech in the House of Commons. In this context, we must closely follow the political and economic reactions and developments in the United Kingdom that followed this speech.

"In any case, what remains essential for us is to remain calm, to respect our principles and our guidelines and to show solidarity and unity for the 27".

Many members on both sides of the House of Commons believe that Johnson's proposal to negotiate a new Brexit deal is just a prelude to a general election, given the high bar that he set for the success and the slim majority of conservatives.

Among the election promises made during the first 48 hours of Johnson Downing Street include the modernization of 20 hospitals, the repair of the social protection system, the reduction of waiting times for general practitioners and the deployment of fiber broadband across the country.

The presence of Dominic Cummings, the Vote Partist campaign leader in Issue 10, also fueled speculation about a fall survey.

Johnson will be conducting a series of campaign-style visits in the coming days, including in Scotland, where Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson has expressed concerns about his approach.

Describing Thursday his views on Brexit MPs, Johnson said he was ready to "negotiate in good faith" to find an alternative to Irish support.

"I do not accept the argument that these problems can only be solved by some or all of the United Kingdom that remains in the customs union or in the single market", a- he declared. "It is obvious that other arrangements are perfectly possible and perfectly compatible with the Belfast or Good Friday Agreement, to which we are of course firmly attached."

Asked by Hilary Benn, a Labor member, about the words of Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who dismissed a new opt-out agreement, Johnson said the question "evoked the kind of defeatism and negativity we experienced last three years ".

"Why start by baduming that our EU friends will not want to compromise?" He asked.

Similarly, when another Labor Party member, Yvette Cooper, asked Johnson what practical solutions could be used for the Irish border in the absence of a trade agreement or a backstop, he replied that there were "many facilities already available".