Boris Johnson has a “huge opportunity” to take the upper hand on Brexit next month, according to a leading Brussels insider. Marc Roche, from Le Point, told BBC Dateline that the landscape in Europe was dramatically changing in Britain’s favour. He pointed to a weakened stance from the European Commission, Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. 

He stunned the BBC panel, explaining: “We have a new Commission. Barnier is out.

“You will have a weakened Merkel, and Macron who is distracted by his own re-election and domestic agenda. So there is a huge opportunity there.”

The Belgian reporter even praised Boris Johnson’s decision  to expel 21 Tory MPs this week as “the right thing to do”.

He said: “He asserted leadership. He has a minimum of 52% of the voters, and some soft Remainers who just want to get over with Brexit.”

JUST IN: Javid reveals that UK will refuse EU’s Brexit extension

The remarks shocked the rest of the BBC panel that largely dismissed Boris Johnson’s chances of securing a Brexit deal  before October 31st. 

Fellow panellist Annalisa Piras claimed there was “little room for negotiations unless Boris drops the red lines”.

She cited Michel Barnier, who recently said there had been no new attempt to break the deadlock. 

Iain Martin, a columnist for The Times, suggested that Ireland could be the first to break in the EU27 as the no deal deadline approaches.

He said: “Focus on Ireland. The Irish cabinet is very worried about no deal. There is clearly something happening.”

Boris Johnson is expected to meet with his Irish counterpart Leo Vardkhar tomorrow to discuss the latest progress on Brexit.

Europe has become increasingly frustrated with Boris Johnson.

DON’T MISS

Farage exposes Macron’s desperate tactics on Brexit [VIDEO]
Amber Rudd’s BBC admission sparks Remainer panic [VIDEO]
How PM will deliver Brexit by exploiting EU’s own rules [INSIGHT]

Earlier today, the French government threatened to veto a further Brexit extension due to the “worrying” lack of progress in the recent talks.

The French foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, highlighted the lack of realistic proposals being put forward by Downing Street.

EU diplomats have repeatedly xpressed their frustration at being caught up in game-playing by the British government.

Sources in Brussels said the process of finding a ready alternative to the Irish backstop was proving to be “a farce”.

Source: Read Full Article