12/12/2019 (Agence Europe) – Meeting at a summit on Thursday 12 December, European Union leaders watched for the results of the British parliamentary elections, which were trickling in from across the Channel. According to exit polls, the Conservative Party won 368 seats for a required majority of 326 seats, the Tories’ strongest victory since Margaret Thatcher, while the Labour Party suffered a heavy defeat with 191 seats. If the results are confirmed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be able to obtain approval for the agreement on the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU sealed with the Twenty-Seven in October, with a view to implementing Brexit in January 2020 (see EUROPE 12351/2). “We will see if it is possible for the British Parliament to validate the withdrawal agreement. We are ready for the next phase”, said European Council President Charles Michel. (MB)