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Brexit, government beaten on EU citizens' rights

The House of Lords has voted to guarantee the rights of EU citizens in the United Kingdom: the vote does not call into question but will delay the adoption of the text which allows the divorce procedure to be launched from the European Union.

Brexit, government beaten on EU citizens' rights

Parliamentary defeat for Theresa May. The House of Lords has in fact approved, with 358 votes in favor and 256 against, an amendment that protects the rights of EU citizens residing in Great Britain at the time of approval of the law.

The amendment, presented by the Labor opposition and supported by the Liberal Democrats, asks the government that, even after the formal start of negotiations for the UK's exit from the EU, EU citizens living in the UK are allowed to be able to continue to maintain the right of residence in the country.

As expected, therefore, the House of Lord challenged the Conservative prime minister on Brexit, who would have liked to initiate the effects of the divorce as early as 15 March. A move that will have the sole objective of delaying the start of the procedure envisaged by art. 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon for London's exit from the EU.

The text will now have to return to the Commons who will still have the last word even if the disagreement with the Lords continues since the elective one prevails between the two assemblies.

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