Rome, Days before Britain’s slated departure date from the European Union – and with no deal yet approved by its Parliament and politicians and the public bitterly divided on the issue – Italy’s Foreign Minister on Tuesday likened the Brexit endgame to an Alfred Hitchcock thriller.
“As Brexit has unfolded in recent days, it seems the UK could be talking part in the (May) European elections,” Enzo Moavero Milanesi said.
“We will have to see. It’s rather like a film by that great European master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, which leaves you guessing until the very last moment,” he added.
Current Brexit options include the withdrawal accord negotiated by Premier Theresa May with the EU, which critics say could see Britain permanently “trapped” in a customs union; leaving the bloc on Friday without a deal; a softer Norway-style exit; revoking the Article 50 divorce process; a second referendum and a general election.
EU leaders last week granted the UK the option of delaying Brexit until May 22 but on the condition that May’s deal is approved this week. Otherwise the government will have until April 12 to tell the EU what its plans are – a no-deal exit on that date or a longer extension, meaning Britain will take part in the European elections on May 23-26.
