Emmanuel Macron could be the key to what's happening with Brexit this week

James McAuley

Correspondent abroad on French and European politics and culture

April 9

PARIS – What is happening this week with the Brexit – that Britain is separating from the European Union without an agreement or that it has more time to settle the problem smoothly – could belong to French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron took the toughest line among the European leaders on Brexit. Last month he presided over a compromise whereby Britain had until April 12 to present a clear plan for Brexit or departure in the absence of a safety net. And when US leaders meet Wednesday in Brussels to consider Prime Minister Theresa May's request for a deadline. Macron should be the strongest voice of resistance.

Any decision must be unanimous.

It is thus that May spent her last hours lobbying to meet Macron in Paris and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. May has requested an extension until June 30 to allow further discussions with the opposition Labor Party. The hope is that together May and Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn can reach a compromise that can win the support of the UK Parliament, which has rejected May's withdrawal agreement three times. These discussions have not been successful so far.

German media have called May's trip Tuesday "the begging tour".

Merkel has tended to be more charitable than Macron on the Brexit, pointing out that no one wants a departure without agreement, which could cause economic devastation in Britain and on the continent.

A spokesman for Downing Street said that at their meeting on Tuesday, May and Merkel "agreed on the importance of ensuring the withdrawal of Britain from the European Union."

An account of the Macron meeting at Downing Street did not mention such an agreement.

An extension is "neither accepted nor automatic," French State Secretary for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin told reporters on Tuesday at a meeting of ministers. "It is extremely important that this request be accompanied by a credible political plan that explains what will happen during this requested extension."

Few policymakers or European badysts expect a total veto from Macron, which could isolate him on the European scene, where he sought to become the main actor.

But in Paris, Brussels and all over Europe, there is an overwhelming feeling that, almost three years after the British vote, the US party must be more than a vehicle for the endless Brexit summits.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel bids farewell to British Prime Minister Theresa May in Berlin on Tuesday. (Markus Schreiber / AP)

British legislator Jacob Rees-Mogg tweeted Last week: "If a long stretch leaves us stuck in the EU, we should be as difficult as possible. We could veto any increase in the budget, hinder the putative EU army and block Macron's integration projects. "

The head of the Elysee said that a one – year extension of Brexit, as discussed some European leaders, would be "too long".

Some fear that a long extension deters Britain from accepting an exit plan.

Macron, however, has other concerns. He has presented with his party, La République en Marche, as the main defenders of Europe against the nationalist and populist factions embodied by personalities such as Marine Le Pen in France and Matteo Salvini in Italy. To leave Brexit behind might lend credence to the right-wing argument that US bureaucrats have actively sought to undermine British sovereignty. This could also undermine the strength of repeated commitments to strengthen continental integration.

The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has proposed a "flextension" that would allow a one year delay in Brexit, with the possibility for Britain to leave earlier.

"Our experience so far, as well as the deep divisions in the House of Commons, give us little reason to believe that the ratification process will be completed by the end of June." Tusk wrote to EU leaders on Tuesday.

"It's important to note that a long extension would provide more certainty and predictability by removing the threat of ever-changing cliff dates," he explained.

In the letter, Tusk suggested a number of provisions to address the concerns expressed by France and others: "no reopening of the withdrawal agreement; no start of negotiations on the future, with the exception of the Political Declaration; the United Kingdom should maintain its sincere cooperation also during this crucial period, in a way that reflects its situation as an outgoing Member State. "

Germany is no less concerned about potential disruptions, said Josef Janning, co-head of the Berlin office of the European Council of Foreign Relations. "Wanting to leave, but still in the wings, is, in Berlin's opinion, almost as terrible as a Brexit without agreement," Janning said.

He suggested that the differences between Merkel and Macron may be more tactical than substantive. "There may be a guy-like or nasty approach in this area," he said. "Macron considers his role as a person who must say," Enough, that's enough. "Merkel's approach is not to make things happen through threats."

For Macron and Merkel, the goal is to get Britain out as quickly and painlessly as possible.

"If this continues, it's a distraction for the European Union when there is so much we need to focus on," said Benjamin Haddad, French political scientist and head of the Council's Future Europe initiative. 'Atlantic. "It has also created a lot of resentment and will create more. That's really what everyone, starting with the French, wants to avoid."

Birnbaum reported from Brussels. William Booth in London and Quentin Ariès in Brussels contributed to this report.

Read more:

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