The European Parliament is preparing to adopt, in Strasbourg on Wednesday 5 April, a firm resolution on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, in which the principal political groups - EPP, S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA who were joined on Tuesday afternoon by the GUE/NGL group - are to reiterate their red lines for the negotiations between London and the EU, theoretically to begin on 22 May. Parliament must give its blessing at the end of the process and its pro-European families hope to get their viewpoints across.
The content of this resolution was unveiled on 29 March by Parliament's President, Antonio Tajani, and its negotiator for Brexit, Guy Verhofstadt, who stressed the need to respect the rights of European citizens residing in the UK and the principle of non-discrimination between British citizens living in the EU and EU citizens living in the UK.
They also stressed the need to resolve the financial aspects, with the London government obliged to honour all of its budgetary commitments, and to resolve the question of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
At press conferences on Tuesday morning, Parliament's political groups repeated these demands. EPP leader Manfred Weber stressed the importance of the Twenty-Seven and the European institutions standing together in these negotiations, rather than divided.
The EPP's watchword is "citizens first" and it will never accept any difference in treatment between European citizens. There will be no first-class and second-class citizens. As for the British invoice, it is also out of the question that the European citizens pick up the tab for Brexit, Weber stressed.
On the future trade agreement that London hopes to secure with the EU, the timing is a matter of consensus in Parliament: this discussion will not begin until there is progress on the divorce terms. And fiscal or social dumping will not be acceptable, Weber added.
The S&D takes a similar line. Gianni Pittella welcomed the broad consensus between the political groups, reiterating the principles, such as the fact that no country can expect better treatment than the member states themselves. The EU's door will also remain open to the British if they wish to return. But right now, there will be a cost to the divorce and London will be paying for it.
On Wednesday, Parliament was expected to adopt the resolution by a considerable majority. On Tuesday afternoon, amendments were being prepared, for instance on the question of Gibraltar, a source explained, but these were not expected to be passed.
Other groups, such as the ECR, have tabled alternative resolutions. The Eurosceptics, led by pro-Brexit UK member Syed Kamall, consider that the principle object of these negotiations is to establish a special, reinforced, long-term partnership.
The ECR also wants discussions on this future agreement to start as soon as possible and to be carried out in parallel to the divorce talks. Although priority must be given to the rights of individuals affected by Brexit, the group argues that the negotiations should immediately aim to shape an in-depth, long-term economic relationship that will pragmatically promote the prosperity of 28 states.
Its draft also notes that Brexit should usher in a detailed reflection on the situation of the EU itself.
The EFDD resolution argues that any future agreement should exclude the free movement of people, as anything else would be a betrayal of the will of the British electorate. It also stresses that Brexit could encourage other countries to withdraw in turn and that leaving the Union presents major economic and democratic potential. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)