Parliament suspension sparks backlash
LONDON – Protests broke out across Britain and 1 million people signed an online petition after Queen Elizabeth II approved a controversial request by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to suspend Parliament, a move that restricts the time lawmakers have to try to block the nation from leaving the European Union without an exit deal.
It means British parliamentarians determined to stop the nation leaving the EU without a formal deal will have little time to do so just weeks ahead of a Brexit deadline on Oct. 31. Johnson asked the queen to “prorogue” Parliament – shut it down, essentially – on Sept. 10, a week after lawmakers return from summer recess. It will be closed 5 weeks.
The decision sparked a backlash. Demonstrations were held late Wednesday in major cities and towns. Outside Parliament in London, protesters chanted “stop the coup” and waved EU flags. The online petition passed the threshold needed to be considered for a debate in Parliament.
Critics argue the move subverts the democratic process. Dominic Grieve, a member of Johnson’s ruling Conservative Party, called it “an outrageous act” and warned that it could lead to a noconfidence vote. “This government will come down,” Grieve said.
Britain’s monarch rarely intervenes directly in state politics, and it would be exceptionally rare for her to defy the prime minister’s request.
Opposition parties have been formulating plans to prevent a “no-deal” Brexit, which economists and political scientists believe could dramatically harm Britain’s economy and lead to chaos on the nation’s borders.