Brexit negotiations enter a critical round on Monday with British Prime Minister Theresa May saying the ball is in the EU’s court, but the bloc fearing her domestic political woes threaten the talks. EU negotiator Michel Barnier and British counterpart David Davis kick off the fifth round of divorce discussions, the last before European leaders meet on October 19 to decide whether to move on to trade talks.
The prognosis is grim, with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker having warned that “miracles” are needed this week to make enough progress to get a positive decision at the summit. Brussels is particularly alarmed by the leadership crisis engulfing the British prime minister, facing a plot to oust her after a catastrophic, mishap-strewn speech at her Conservative party’s conference. The embattled May is set to tell parliament on Monday that she expects “leadership and flexibility” from the other 27 EU countries in the negotiations. “As we look forward to the next stage, the ball is in their court. But I am optimistic we will receive a positive response,” May was expected to say, according to her office. “I believe we can prove the doomsayers wrong.”
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