The British parliament is expected on Monday to reject Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s second call for a snap election, as he fights with pro-EU lawmakers for control of the Brexit process.
To further pressure Johnson, a Bill to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal was expected to receive royal assent on Monday, meaning the legislation can be implemented.
Meanwhile, Johnson insisted early Monday, during a visit to Ireland, that Britain must leave the EU as planned on Oct. 31, with or without an exit deal.
Senior opposition lawmakers had agreed to vote against his call to hold a snap election on Oct. 15, making it almost certain that Johnson would not win the two-thirds majority he needed for the election.
However, Johnson was expected to ignore the legislation to block a no-deal Brexit or challenge it in a British court.
Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, told broadcaster Sky News that the government would test to the limit what the legislation actually lawfully required.
Johnson has claimed that the bill ruling out a no-deal Brexit would mean years of uncertainty and delay because it requires a further postponement of Britain’s date for leaving the EU.
He, however, vowed to suspend the parliament as early as possible, until mid-October, and then submit his government programme for a new session.
Meanwhile, opposition had accused him of trying to use prorogation to limit scrutiny of his plans and to push through a no-deal Brexit.
