The United Kingdom could extend its EU membership beyond the summer of 2019 without taking part in the European elections and without undermining the integrity of the European Parliament, according to an opinion from the European Parliament’s Legal Service, prepared in 2017 and revealed on 18 January by the Financial Times.
The current British MEPs would remain in place until the end of their mandate; the European Parliament would keep the same number of seats, but would be reorganised as soon as the United Kingdom actually left.
The Commission, for its part, has been more cautious: “As guardians of the EU treaties, we suggest exercising caution” and that the applicable rules do not suggest that the citizens’ right to vote in European Parliamentary elections “can be called into question”, according to spokesperson Margaritis Schinas.
“We have a legally composed European Parliament that requires directly elected Members from all Member States by the first day of the new mandate of the new Parliament, which this time is 2 July”. “As guardians of the Treaties, we would prefer to apply the relevant legislation”, he stated, adding that “we have not received any request from the UK for an extension of Article 50”.
The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May by telephone on the afternoon of 18 January. The two leaders will “stay in touch”, the Commission said. Mrs May is trying to unite all parties towards a ‘plan B’. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)