British lawmakers on Wednesday passed a law requiring the postponement of Brexit to deal a further bitter blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to prevent an exit from the country without an agreement with the European Union on October 31.
The text was voted by 327 to 299 in the third and final reading.
This was a blow to the prime minister, who is determined to see his country out of the EU on October 31, even if it does not happen.
Advocates are seeking to avoid an exit without a deal from the EU at all costs. The new postponement must be approved by all 27 EU member states.
As British lawmakers were voting, several hundred anti-Brexit demonstrators gathered in the afternoon near Parliament, holding up European flags.
"A departure without agreement is totally unacceptable," 34-year-old Jack Hargreaves told AFP, holding a banner demanding a second Brexit referendum.
"I hope that deputies will prevent an exit without an agreement and that we will see a general election later," said Susan Fitzgerald, 59, holding a big European flag.
As the government prepares for the possibility of holding these elections, Finance Minister Sajid Javed announced the "end of austerity" in the House of Commons, pointing to the increase in expenditures in the public sector and infrastructure.
He said he had earmarked an extra 2 billion pounds for Brexit next year by employing more customs agents, rehabilitating ports and supporting companies.
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said the Brexit effect without an agreement would be "less serious" than expected last year.
The foundation announced in November 2018 that a Brexit without an agreement would lead to an 8% drop in GDP, but now expects a 5.5% decline thanks to "improved preparations."
Johnson said he had made "significant progress" in his negotiations with the European Union.
But Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coffini told RTI television that there was "no proposal from the British government that could form the basis for consultation and negotiation."
The European Commission announced that the divorce would take place in less than two months as the risk of the UK leaving the EU escalates without agreement.
Faced with this prospect, the EU is ready to allocate 780 million euros in emergency financial aid to member states hardest hit by the economic fallout from London.
The next EU summit, which will decide the fate of Brexit, will be held in Brussels on October 17-18.
