British Parliament Calls for Renegotiation with the European Union on Brexit

On Tuesday, February 9, the British Parliament mandated Prime Minister Theresa May to enter negotiations with the European Union to amend the Brexit agreement concerning the Irish border, but the EU immediately rejected the request for renegotiation. According to Reuters, two weeks ago, the House of Commons decisively rejected Theresa May's agreement with the EU regarding the exit from the union, but on Tuesday, the House supported renegotiation to amend certain clauses of this agreement. British lawmakers are calling for renegotiation concerning the Northern Ireland borders so that they can support an alternative and revised agreement with the EU. The British Parliament also expressed its opposition to a no-deal exit from the EU. Theresa May stated in Parliament that a majority of representatives support an agreement with proposed changes (regarding the Irish border). The Prime Minister added that it is now clear that there is a path where a significant and stable majority in the House supports an agreement for exiting the EU. British lawmakers are seeking changes to the agreement concerning the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (as an EU member) and are concerned about the implications of the current agreement for Britain in the future. The Northern Ireland border with the Republic of Ireland is the only land border between Britain and the EU. The resolution proposed by Conservative MP Graham Brady was passed with 317 votes in favor and 301 against. This resolution calls for changes to the current agreement regarding the Irish borders and for a different agreement to replace it. According to this resolution, if this section is amended, the British Parliament will support Theresa May's agreement with the EU. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Donald Tusk, President of the EU, stated after the vote in the British Parliament that the border situation of the Republic of Ireland is part of the agreement for Britain's exit from the EU and is not open for renegotiation. Helen McEntee, Ireland's Minister for European Affairs, also said that this is an agreement that was negotiated by Britain, signed by Britain and its Prime Minister. It now seems they want to deny the commitments they accepted. Theresa May had spoken with Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, before the vote in Parliament on Tuesday. After this call, May stated that the EU's position on renegotiation would not be 'easy.' The British Prime Minister also mentioned that if London cannot reach an agreement on amending the Brexit plan with Europe by February 13, the day after that date, members of Parliament can decide on subsequent actions and negotiations with the EU.