Brexit, tension rises between London and Brussels and not for ideological reasons but, much more concretely, for very serious money issues. The Eurocommissioner Michel Barnier in charge of negotiating with the British government to well note that the bill for London "it's not about a punishment, an exit tax, it's just about settling the bills, neither more nor less, accounts which refer to money committed to, for projects from which everyone benefits, including the UK”.
The commitments already made by the UK to the EU come estimated 60 billion from Brussels but the Financial Times leaked a much more expensive bill, equal to about 100 billion. And Great Britain reacts: it will pay for the divorce from Brussels what is "legally due", not "simply what the EU wants", says the Brexit minister David Davis, returning to hovering over a possible judicial dispute. "We take both our rights and our obligations seriously", Davis insists, arguing that the EU has started the game "hard and rough", but has not yet put figures on the table.
“The date of entry into force of the Withdrawal Agreement must be by 30 March 2019 at the latest unless the European Council in agreement with the United Kingdom decides unanimously to extend this period”. It is written in the recommendation to the EU Council prepared by the Commission. From that moment the United Kingdom "will become a third country". For compliance with the Brexit agreement, Barnier had specified in the recommendation, "we will have to rely on the EU Court of Justice". Lastly, Barnier underlined the tight deadlines for meeting the dates for the United Kingdom's exit from the Union and confirmed the points already outlined by the 27 member countries. "The time available for negotiation - he warns - is very short, it is passing, a negotiating order is needed", indicated Barnier.
The response of the British premier, Theresa May, is harsh, accusing European leaders and officials of having made "threats" on the Brexit negotiations with the intention of "influence" the British elections of 8 June. Speaking after being received by the Queen for the formal dissolution of Parliament, May adds that London's position these days has been deliberately "misrepresented".
"There are those in Brussels who do not want the talks" for Brexit "to succeed", added the Prime Minister in front of Downing Street in a short speech that should have been a ritual, but had unusually bellicose passages towards the 'EU, or at least some European circles. The British prime minister insisted that this initial phase demonstrates that the negotiations could be "tough" and reiterated her call for a vote for her and the Conservative Party to strengthen the British "hand" at the negotiating table, again presenting once Labor opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, as too weak and not credible enough for the task.
