Finally, the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill Passes the UK Parliament... Johnson Says "Crossed the Finish Line"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] With Brexit (the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (EU)) scheduled for the 31st, the UK Parliament, which was the 'last obstacle' for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has finally approved the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), leaving only the Queen's royal assent.

According to the Guardian and other sources on the 23rd (local time), both the House of Commons and the House of Lords passed the unamended EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill the previous day. The Guardian reported that the bill will take effect as formal law after receiving the Queen's royal assent within a few days.

Earlier, the House of Lords had sent back the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which the House of Commons had passed, with some amendments. However, the House of Commons rejected the Lords' amendments, and ultimately, the House of Lords also gave final approval to the government's original EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

Prime Minister Johnson said, "Parliament has finally passed the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill," adding, "We have crossed the Brexit finish line." He said, "It felt like we would never cross the Brexit finish line, but we finally did," and urged, "Let's leave behind three years of hatred and division and focus on a bright and exciting future."

The EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill is expected to be signed by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Prime Minister Johnson. The European Parliament will formally ratify the bill on the 29th. Once all procedures are completed, the UK will leave the EU at 11 p.m. GMT on the 31st. Afterwards, during the transition period set until the end of the year, the UK will negotiate its future relationship with the EU.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.