BETA


2019/2817(RSP) Resolution on the state of play of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union

Progress: Procedure completed

Legal Basis:
RoP 132-p2

Events

2019/09/18
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2019/09/18
   EP - Motion for a resolution
Documents
2019/09/18
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2019/09/18
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2019/09/18
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 544 votes to 126, with 38 abstentions, a resolution on the state of play of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.

The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.

Following a decision of the 10 April 2019 European Council Special Summit to accept UK’s request to prolong the Article 50 deadline, the UK is set to leave the EU by 31 October 2019.

According to the Parliament, ‘Brexit’ is an unprecedented and regrettable event whose negative consequences would be mitigated by an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU).

The Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration

Parliament continues to believe that the Withdrawal Agreement, as the means to allow for such an orderly exit of the UK from the EU, is fair and balanced, while fully respecting both the UK’s ‘red lines’ and the EU’s principles. It notes that the value of the Withdrawal Agreement is that it provides legal certainty to all those affected by the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and that, to the fullest extent possible, it:

- safeguards the rights and life choices of EU citizens resident in the UK and British citizens resident in the EU-27;

- includes the backstop for the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland;

- provides for a single financial settlement with the UK which includes all legal liabilities arising from outstanding commitments and makes provision for off-balance sheet items, contingent liabilities and other financial costs arising directly as a result of the UK’s withdrawal;

- includes, as requested by the UK and with a view to ensuring legal certainty and continuity as well as time to negotiate the future EU-UK relationship, a transition period until 31 December 2020 which may be extended once by up to two years.

Protection of citizens

Overall, the resolution stressed that the EU and the UK, as a departing Member State, have an overriding obligation to ensure a comprehensive and reciprocal approach to protecting the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and of British citizens living in the EU-27.

The UK and the EU-27 are urged to adopt measures that provide legal certainty for EU citizens resident in the UK and British citizens resident in the EU-27. It recalled its position that the EU-27 should pursue a consistent and generous approach in protecting the rights of British citizens resident in those Member States.

Backstop mechanism

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU must not in any way endanger the peace process in Northern Ireland nor harm the economy of the island of Ireland. The Withdrawal Agreement provides this backstop mechanism to safeguard the status quo in Ireland by protecting the Good Friday Agreement and ensuring North-South cooperation.

In the resolution, Members confirmed that they would be ready to revert to the EU’s original proposal for a Northern Ireland-only backstop. They are also open to examining alternative arrangements if they are legally and operationally credible and in line with EU guiding principles. Parliament stressed, however, that it shall not consent to a Withdrawal Agreement without a backstop.

No deal

Members stressed that should the UK withdraw from the EU without an agreement this would be entirely the responsibility of the UK Government. In the case of a ‘no-deal exit’, the UK’s financial and other obligations will still exist. Parliament affirmed that in such a case it will refuse to give consent to any agreement or agreements between the EU and the UK unless and until the UK honours its commitments.

Further extension of Article 50

Parliament indicated that it would support an extension of the period provided for in Article 50 if there are reasons and a purpose for such an extension (such as to avoid a ‘no-deal exit’, to hold a general election or a referendum, to revoke Article 50, or to approve a withdrawal agreement) and that the work and functioning of the EU institutions are not adversely affected.

Documents
2019/09/18
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament

Documents

Activities

Votes

B9-0038/2019 - § 4/2 18/09/2019 12:07:45.000 #

2019/09/18 Outcome: +: 541, -: 149, 0: 11
DE ES RO FR NL PT HU BE SE EL DK IT BG AT IE SK FI LT CZ SI HR CY LU MT LV EE GB PL
Total
90
49
30
69
25
17
17
21
20
20
13
68
15
17
10
13
13
11
20
8
10
6
6
6
8
5
66
48
icon: PPE PPE
167

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1
3
2

Luxembourg PPE

2

Malta PPE

2

Latvia PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
144

Greece S&D

1

Lithuania S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

2

Cyprus S&D

2

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1
4

Latvia S&D

2

Estonia S&D

2
icon: Renew Renew
103

Hungary Renew

2

Austria Renew

For (1)

1

Ireland Renew

For (1)

1

Slovakia Renew

2

Finland Renew

3

Lithuania Renew

2

Slovenia Renew

2

Croatia Renew

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Renew

2

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1

Estonia Renew

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
66

Spain Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Sweden Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Ireland Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Czechia Verts/ALE

3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
38

Netherlands GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

2

Belgium GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1
icon: NI NI
52

Germany NI

1

Hungary NI

1

Slovakia NI

2

Croatia NI

Abstain (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
62

Germany ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

Against (1)

4
3

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Bulgaria ECR

2

Lithuania ECR

Against (1)

1

Croatia ECR

Against (1)

1

Latvia ECR

2
icon: ID ID
69

Belgium ID

Abstain (1)

3

Denmark ID

Against (1)

1

Austria ID

3

Finland ID

2

Czechia ID

Against (2)

2

Estonia ID

Against (1)

1

B9-0038/2019 - § 12/1 18/09/2019 12:08:00.000 #

2019/09/18 Outcome: +: 504, -: 167, 0: 28
DE ES RO FR BE NL SE PT EL IE BG AT FI LT DK CZ SI SK CY LU HR MT LV GB EE HU PL IT
Total
87
49
30
69
20
25
20
19
20
11
15
16
13
11
12
20
8
13
6
6
8
6
8
69
5
17
49
67
icon: PPE PPE
166

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1
2

Luxembourg PPE

2

Malta PPE

2

Latvia PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
143

Greece S&D

1

Lithuania S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

2

Cyprus S&D

2

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Croatia S&D

2
4

Latvia S&D

2

Estonia S&D

2
icon: Renew Renew
102

Ireland Renew

For (1)

1

Finland Renew

3

Lithuania Renew

2

Slovenia Renew

2

Slovakia Renew

2

Luxembourg Renew

2

Croatia Renew

For (1)

1

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1

Estonia Renew

2

Hungary Renew

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
67

Spain Verts/ALE

2

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Sweden Verts/ALE

2

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Ireland Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

2

Czechia Verts/ALE

3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
40

Belgium GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

4

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1
icon: NI NI
51

Germany NI

1

Slovakia NI

2

Hungary NI

Abstain (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
62

Germany ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

4
3

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Bulgaria ECR

2

Lithuania ECR

Against (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

2

Croatia ECR

Against (1)

1

Latvia ECR

2
icon: ID ID
68

Belgium ID

2

Austria ID

3

Finland ID

2

Denmark ID

Against (1)

1

Czechia ID

Against (2)

2

Estonia ID

Against (1)

1

B9-0038/2019 - Résolution 18/09/2019 12:09:24.000 #

2019/09/18 Outcome: +: 544, -: 126, 0: 38
DE PL ES FR RO NL HU PT BE AT SE BG SK IE DK EL FI IT LT CZ SI CY HR MT LU LV EE GB
Total
91
49
50
69
29
25
17
19
21
17
20
15
13
11
13
19
13
68
11
20
8
6
11
6
5
8
5
69
icon: PPE PPE
169

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1
2

Malta PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

1

Latvia PPE

2
icon: S&D S&D
144

Greece S&D

1

Lithuania S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

2

Cyprus S&D

2
4

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

2

Estonia S&D

2
icon: Renew Renew
105

Hungary Renew

2

Austria Renew

For (1)

1

Slovakia Renew

2

Ireland Renew

For (1)

1

Finland Renew

3

Lithuania Renew

2

Slovenia Renew

2

Croatia Renew

For (1)

1

Luxembourg Renew

2

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1

Estonia Renew

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
67

Spain Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Sweden Verts/ALE

2

Ireland Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

2

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Czechia Verts/ALE

3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

Abstain (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
39

Netherlands GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

4

Belgium GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1
icon: ECR ECR
62

Germany ECR

For (1)

1

Spain ECR

For (1)

3

Netherlands ECR

4
3

Bulgaria ECR

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

Against (1)

1

Croatia ECR

Against (1)

1

Latvia ECR

2
icon: NI NI
53

Germany NI

1

Hungary NI

1

Slovakia NI

Against (1)

2

Croatia NI

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2
icon: ID ID
69

Austria ID

3

Denmark ID

Against (1)

1

Finland ID

2

Czechia ID

Against (2)

2

Estonia ID

Against (1)

1

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2019-0038_EN.html
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2019-0038_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
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http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2019-0039_EN.html
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https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2019-0039_EN.html
events/1/docs/0/url
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https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2019-09-18-TOC_EN.html
events/2
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament
body
EP
docs
url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2019-0016_EN.html title: T9-0016/2019
summary
events/2
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2019-0016_EN.html title: T9-0016/2019
summary
docs/0/docs/0/url
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2019-0038_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-9-2019-0039_EN.html
docs/2
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P9-TA-2019-0016 title: T9-0016/2019
type
Text adopted by Parliament, single reading
body
EP
events/0
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
type
Debate in Parliament
body
EP
events/0
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
type
Results of vote in Parliament
body
EP
docs
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events/1
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
type
Debate in Parliament
body
EP
events/1
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P9-TA-2019-0016 title: T9-0016/2019
events/1/docs
  • url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20190918&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
events/2
date
2019-09-18T00:00:00
type
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
body
EP
docs
url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2019-0016_EN.html title: T9-0016/2019
summary
docs
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 docs: title: B9-0038/2019 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 docs: title: B9-0039/2019 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P9-TA-2019-0016 title: T9-0016/2019 type: Text adopted by Parliament, single reading body: EP
events
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P9-TA-2019-0016 title: T9-0016/2019
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
forecasts
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 title: Debate in plenary scheduled
  • date: 2019-09-18T00:00:00 title: Vote in plenary scheduled
procedure/stage_reached
Old
Awaiting Parliament 1st reading / single reading / budget 1st stage
New
Procedure completed
procedure/title
Old
The UK’s withdrawal from the EU
New
Resolution on the state of play of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union