The EU Parliament thinks it can “respond to Boris Johnson’s election”

Verhofstadt calls emergency meeting in Brussels today

We look at democratic processes - UK and EU

The election of a new leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party is the prerogative of the members of that Party in the United Kingdom. The EU Parliament seems to think otherwise.

Yesterday Guy Verhofstadt, the EU Parliament’s Brexit Co-Ordinator, announced on Twitter that there will be an extraordinary meeting of that Parliament’s ‘Brexit Steering Group’ today, with Michel Barnier in attendance. The emergency meeting has been called “to respond to Boris Johnson’s election”.

The @Europarl_EN’s Brexit Steering Group will hold an extraordinary meeting tomorrow with @michelBarnier to respond to @BorisJohnson's election. The meeting will be followed by an official communication. Looking forward to defending the interest of all Europeans. #Brexit
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) July 23, 2019

Following the meeting there will be “an official communication”.

Brexit Facts4EU.org Summary

The membership of this Committee is as follows:

Guy Verhofstadt, Brexit coordinator and Chair (Belgian LibDem, left)
Elmar Brok (German conservative, centre-right)
Roberto Gualtieri (Italian socialist)
Philippe Lamberts (Belgian Green, left)
Gabriele Zimmer (German, former Communist, far left)
Danuta Hübner (Polish, former Communist, socialist)

How does the election of Boris compare with the EU’s “elections” last week?

Remainers have already been talking about Boris having no legitimacy as Prime Minister, despite him being elected as leader of the largest political party in the House of Commons by his fellow MPs and then by the membership of his party by 2:1.

The Brexit Facts4EU.Org team thought that readers might be interested to review the number of votes cast for Boris, compared to the number of votes cast for the most powerful people in the EU machine over the past two weeks.

Observations

The discussions over the replacement for EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker took place over many months between the leaders of the EU28. In the end it took a 3-day emergency meeting before a ‘fudge’ was agreed at the last moment. The failed German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen was suddenly chosen as the new EU Commission President.

She was the sole candidate presented to the MEPs in the EU Parliament, and she barely managed to get sufficient votes to be endorsed, getting over the finishing line by a majority of just nine MEPs.

She has become the most powerful person in the Brussels machine without touring the countries of the EU, without engaging in TV debates, and without enduring many weeks of hustings.

The other key appointment was that of Belgian Charles Michel as EU Council President. He was chosen by the 28 EU leaders and the EU Parliament was not given a vote.

It is perfectly reasonable for the EU Parliament's Brexit Steering Group and the EU Commission's Chief Negotiator to meet to discuss proposals put forward by the UK's new Prime Minister, once he has made them.

We would suggest, however, that it shows extreme arrogance on the part of these arch-federalists to make any comment whatsoever on the choice of the United Kingdom's new Prime Minister, before he has even chosen his Cabinet or made any formal proposals to the EU.

The final point we would make about democracy is that it seems highly likely that Boris Johnson will face a vote of no confidence in the near future. If he loses and if the House of Commons then votes for a General Election, Boris will have to face the country for a new mandate.

The same is not true for those such as Frau von der Leyen, new President of the EU Commission, who will determine much of what the EU does in the next five years. You didn't vote her in, and you can't vote her out.

[ Sources: Conservative Party | EU Council | EU Commission | EU Parliament ] Politicians and journalists can contact us for details, as ever.

Brexit Facts4EU.Org, 24 Jul 2019

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Reader Comments 12

1. Patrick F , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 05:39:

I'm pleased that Guy Verhorsebreath is "looking forward to defending the interests of all Europeans."
I wasn't aware that Europe and the EU are the same, but now I understand that the vote to leave was in fact a vote to leave Europe and not a vote to leave the EU.
Btw Rod Liddle's new book "The Great Betrayal" is excellent.
Good luck Boris. The fight has just begun.

2. Jon, Wales , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 06:47:

The tweet by Mr Verhofstadt states:
"The meeting will be followed by an official communication" [to Boris Johnson PM-elect] which should, in my opinion, be treated as 'toilet paper'?
As the above article rightly points out, it is the height of arrogance on the part of Mr Verhofstadt to call a meeting [at taxpayers expense] when our PM-elect will not be been sworn in until later this afternoon.
May I offer Boris some advice?
Mr Barnier will be in attendance at that meeting. The EU have had three years to screw up our country because we had negotiators who were perhaps prevented from carrying out the largest democratic vote in British history, made more difficult by a 'majority remain parliament' - and the people are now 'fighting back'.
The EU commission and EU27 leaders have treated the UK like their piggy-bank. British people will not be treated in this manner and we demand RESPECT.
Mr Barnier clearly stated again that he will ONLY work to enable ratification of the withdrawal Agreement - but it will NOT be changed.
It was rightly voted down THREE times by Parliament, so what don't they understand? In reality, the EU want to keep our country shackled to them by any underhanded means possible (they've done their best to undermine UK democracy thus far). Their reason is simple - THEY WANT OUR MONEY?
With respect Boris, Mr Barnier and others have clearly stated nothing will change - so may I suggest you tell them in equally forthright terms, that as they have made their decision, you will NOT visit them as there's no point (then watch how fast THEY come knocking on our door for a deal? - let them come to us? (Barnier can dump his Treaty where the sun doesn't shine).
Congratulations Boris, but please do NOT let us down - you have a lot to prove in a short time. Do well, and I will support you.
I further suggest you meet with Nigel Farage and put party politics to one side because we have a common aim.

3. Catherine, Dollar , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 06:52:

Interesting to see Elmar Brok still unsuspended and a member of this committee - he who charged constituents €150 to visit him. "According to copies of documents — which POLITICO has now published — from the German Christian Democrat's office, Brok charged visitors €150 per head to cover their costs while also claiming back many of the same costs from the Parliament." Looks like democratic representation only for the paying rich?

4. Sydney Ashurst , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 07:16:

What will Verhofstadt in his undemocratic way do. Will he threaten our PM with fire and brimstone unless he brings Parliament to heel. That Johnson must facilitate the passage of Barnier's WA, bringing the UK back into the fold as a Colony under vassalage, with Verhofstadt as the supreme being in control.

5. Adam Hiley , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 07:48:

does anyone care what this buck toothed rather unpleasant individual says on any issue who comes from a non Country like Belgium ah wait the Remoaner traitors that's who

6. J Slater , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 08:31:

A Vote of No Confidence in PM Boris Johnson? What tosh! Never did it to ex-PM Theresa May, and just look at HER track record! And besides, how can you vote on a matter of 'Confidence' when Boris Johnson has only just been elected in? Confidence in a PM, Leader of a Party, in a member of staff etc is what is gained through achievements over a period of time. It takes time for new policies to take effect. Anyone trying to topple a PM, voted in by his Party by an overwhelming majority, is just a cheap dirty trickster.

7. J Slater , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 08:59:

I address the Conservative Party, and PM Boris Johnson: Never before in the history of mankind has it been more inherent in you, our Leading Party in the Democratic system of UK Government, to back your new Leader in his stated aim to comply and listen to the recorded wishes, nay demands, of the People of Great Britain to leave the Undemocratic EU forthwith. With great triumph and joy over adversity, we WILL take back our Liberty and Sovereignty.

8. Tarien , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 09:06:

Before the new Prime Minister upholds any promises to the EU concerning the 39 billion Euro's, often referred to as the divorce payment, the EU should firstly repay Britian the enormous £ 61 billion loan from the USA which was repaid in full plus interest which becasue of allows Europe the Freedom it enjoys to day. However I would prefer we leave without a deal-Britain will survive and prosper, giving rise to many Member countries of the the EU taking careful note of whether the EU now a socialist, supressing, enslaving, monolith wallowing without concern to its members across the 27 member borders is worth belonging to. If the Remainer Traitors cause any more problems or spout traiterous words, let them be deported to enjoy their lives in one of the EU Member states. Of course they would lose their UK pensions. We now have a leader with vision so lets get behind him, and crush the evilness of the Media headed by the BBC.

9. tarien , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 09:23:

Very well said J Slater, absolutely support your Churchillian styled words. Boris Johnson has the vision and understanding of what is needed, and am certain he will not bend to demands from the European Union, ( that group of individuals running the office inBrussels), they need us more tha we need them, as so often has been said recently. I have lived and worked in Eurpope and enjoyed doing so very much-the people are as we are, mostly very helpful and fun to be with, of course it did help that I spoke fairly good French, but never mind if you didn't they were always ready to help. Admittedly the countryside was always more encompassing than the Cities. Many of whom those people I got know very well, were not that encouraging in their praise for the EU-too much money being spent in unworthy cases, and definitely too much being paid in salaries to those supposedly in charge, did not go down well with the Euorpeans I met. I would agree with some of the Europeans I met that the EU as such will probably not last another 10 years in its present format. What will it become? I have no real idea as yet nor I believe have they.

10. Sydney Ashurst , Wednesday, July 24, 2019, 11:36:

Adam Hiley, I am afraid until we are out of the EU Guy Verhofstadt cannot be brushed off as a buck toothed rather unpleasant individual.
Remember the BBC documentary 'behind closed doors'.
Verhofstadt as a Belgian MEP can wield tremendous power in the EU Parliament through the encouraged political groupings. French and German groups have been dominant. With the admission of the Visigard group and Italy's Populists the MEP groupings in the new Parliament are yet to be finalised. Change is on the way in which we will not take part.

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