As the British press had anticipated, Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation on Friday 24 May in a morning speech outside her residence at 10 Downing Street. This departure will take effect on 7 June, notably after the state visit to the United Kingdom by US President Donald Trump.
The European Commission reacted quickly to this announcement. Its president, Jean-Claude Juncker, followed this announcement "without personal joy", reported Mina Andreeva, the institution's spokesperson. He “will respect and establish working relations with any new Prime Minister, whoever they may be, without stopping his conversations with Prime Minister May", she added.
For his part, Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief negotiator for Brexit, expressed his “full respect for Theresa May and for her determination as Prime Minister in working towards an orderly withdrawal” of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
After three years as head of the country, Mrs May was visibly moved during her speech. "I negotiated the terms of our exit [from the EU]. I have done everything I can to convince MPs to back that deal", she said. She continued: "Sadly, I have not been able to do so. It is now clear to me that it is in the best interests of the country for a new Prime Minister to lead that effort". According to her, her successor "will have to find consensus", which will only be possible "if those on all sides of the debate are willing to compromise".
This departure is not a surprise, as the British leader had already promised members of the Conservative Party, who have been putting her under pressure for months, that she would leave office. Initially, this was to follow a fourth vote in the House of Commons on the agreement on an orderly exit from the EU. Mrs May's departure is scheduled for 7 June, the same day that was slated for this vote.
As of 10 June, the race for the leadership of the Tory party, and therefore for the position of Prime Minister, will begin, which could last six weeks. Former Foreign Minister Boris Johnson is the favourite - although a total of 17 candidates have expressed interest, including Rory Stewart, Jeremy Hunt, Michael Gove and Sajid Javid.
In Paris, the Presidency of the Republic is ready to work with the new British Prime Minister. "Our relationship with the United Kingdom is essential in all areas. It is too early to speculate on the consequences of this decision. EU principles will continue to apply, including the priority of preserving the proper functioning of the EU, which requires rapid clarification", according to the Elysée. She continued: “It should also remind us, at a time of important choice, that rejection votes without an alternative plan lead to deadlock”.
At the last European summit on Brexit in early April, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a shorter extension of the negotiating deadline than that finally granted to the United Kingdom by the Twenty-Eight (see EUROPE 12233/1).
Mrs May expected in Brussels on 28 May
Mrs May is expected to attend the extraordinary European summit in Brussels on Tuesday 28 May to analyse the results of the European elections. As the United Kingdom is still a Member State, it will take part in discussions on appointments to senior European posts.
It is possible that the Brexit issue will be included in the discussions.
But the Europeans were again clear on Friday: the withdrawal agreement already rejected three times by the British Parliament will not be reopened for negotiation.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, whose country went to the polls on Friday for the European elections, confirmed that the EU would not offer a better deal to the future British Prime Minister. "From my point of view, I do not see the EU offering a new Prime Minister a better or very different agreement than that proposed to Theresa May”, he said. "This idea that a new Prime Minister will be a tougher negotiator and get a much better deal for Britain? That’s not how the EU works," he insisted.
Currently, the United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the EU by 31 October at the latest, unless British MEPs approve the withdrawal agreement by then. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)