29th march 2019. That was the date scheduled for the United Kingdom (UK) to officially leave the European Union (EU). However, to this date, the country's Parliament has not agreed on the withdrawal agreement negotiated with the EU by the country's Prime minister, Theresa May. The Parliament has, however, voted against leaving the EU without a deal which leaves the country in an impasse.
The BBC, the British national news website, has confirmed, this wednesday 20th of march, that Theresa May will be asking for a delay from the EU. She has requested that the United Kingdom be given until the 30th of June to leave the EU. Should the EU approve Theresa May's request, this would mean wooing UK's members of Parliament until they approve the Brexit deal already negotiated or re-opening the negociations regarding the Brexit deal, which the EU has, until now, refused to do. Donald Tusk, President of the European Union Council has explained that an extension will only be granted if British MPs agree on the actual Brexit deal. Otherwise, he will call a general assembly to decide on the way forward.
For expatriates, either within the UK or British expatriates around the world, this will mean yet another period of sitting on the fence regarding their future. Especially if the current deal is to be renegotiated. Although the BBC reports that Theresa May hopes to be able to convince MPs in favour of the actual deal on this third vote.
Laurence, an American expatriate living in the UK, explains he cannot wait for this “ordeal” to be over. “I think most of us are wishing it was over and done with, we wish it would just go away...” says Laurence. But Laurence knows that it might take a while until an agreement is reached between Theresa May with both the EU and her Parliament. “Apparently, there is nothing to prevent the UK Government asking for another delay if this one doesn't work; we are facing years of this!”.
Some expatriates who have been in the UK for the required amount of time have resorted to hurriedly applying for British citizenship. “I have applied for citizenship and Brexit should not bother me anymore”, says a French expat who has been living in the UK for over 20 years.Others, like Lara, a French expat living in the UK, have decided not to give in to panic. “For now our employers are not worried, and this is a relief to us”.
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