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| Boris Johnson to Seek Election on Dec. 12 in Push to Break Brexit Deadlock | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday that he would ask lawmakers to agree to a general election on Dec. 12, in his latest effort to break the deadlock in Britain’s three-year battle over Brexit. | LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday that he would ask lawmakers to agree to a general election on Dec. 12, in his latest effort to break the deadlock in Britain’s three-year battle over Brexit. |
| The move follows the decision of Parliament to block his accelerated timetable to leave the European Union on Oct. 31, despite agreeing in principle to his latest Brexit plan. | The move follows the decision of Parliament to block his accelerated timetable to leave the European Union on Oct. 31, despite agreeing in principle to his latest Brexit plan. |
| Mr. Johnson has already been forced by Parliament to request an extension to the Brexit deadline until Jan. 31. A decision on that is expected from the European Union soon, perhaps on Friday. | Mr. Johnson has already been forced by Parliament to request an extension to the Brexit deadline until Jan. 31. A decision on that is expected from the European Union soon, perhaps on Friday. |
| But in a pre-emptive strike, Mr. Johnson said in a BBC interview that, providing the extension is granted, he plans on Monday to ask for the December election, also giving Parliament more time to ratify his Brexit proposal first. | But in a pre-emptive strike, Mr. Johnson said in a BBC interview that, providing the extension is granted, he plans on Monday to ask for the December election, also giving Parliament more time to ratify his Brexit proposal first. |
| If lawmakers “genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it — but they have to agree to a general election on Dec. 12,” Mr. Johnson told the BBC. | If lawmakers “genuinely want more time to study this excellent deal, they can have it — but they have to agree to a general election on Dec. 12,” Mr. Johnson told the BBC. |
| However, Mr. Johnson cannot simply call an election. Under a 2011 law, he would need the support of two-thirds of Parliament, something that would be impossible without support from the opposition Labour Party. | However, Mr. Johnson cannot simply call an election. Under a 2011 law, he would need the support of two-thirds of Parliament, something that would be impossible without support from the opposition Labour Party. |
| Mr. Johnson had already sought — and been denied — an election in October and, since becoming prime minister in July, has appeared to be in campaigning mode, preparing for an election that most analysts see as inevitable. | Mr. Johnson had already sought — and been denied — an election in October and, since becoming prime minister in July, has appeared to be in campaigning mode, preparing for an election that most analysts see as inevitable. |