BREXIT – A major showdown between the United Kingdom and the European Union. With a decision on the terms of the Brexit imminent, it would appear that negotiations are completely deadlocked between Theresa May and her European counterparts.
At issue: the possible restoration of a physical border between the Republic of Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. Although both sides are keen to avoid this outcome, they don’t seem to have reached an overall agreement on how to proceed.
As a reminder, the Northern Ireland issue is far from trivial to this Brexit. The United Kingdom is very attached to its province of Northern Ireland. It is also the only land border between the UK and the rest of the European Union.
However, the divorce initiated by London risks isolating Northern Ireland from the rest of Europe. Economic enclave, border enclave… Customs agreements could change, as could free movement agreements between the 2 territories. Imports and exports could also fall by the wayside, threatening the daily lives and purchasing power of Northern Irish people…
It’s a situation that’s shaking the province to its core, and at the same time taking it back to a more than painful past, when Irish republicans and British loyalists clashed over the question of Northern Ireland’s attachment to the Republic of Ireland.
Many politicians fear a resumption of violence by dissident militias seeking to raise the question of independence for the whole of Ireland…
Legitimate concerns, which are currently plunging the population into total uncertainty. Unfortunately, tonight’s scheduled meeting between Theresa May and the E.U. already seems compromised by these disagreements. Many experts are predicting a new status quo.
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