EU says no, again, to reopening Brexit talks

CNN — Europe has told British Prime Minister Theresa May, again, that it will not reopen talks on the Brexit agreement as she arrived in Brussels to persuade EU leaders to agree to key changes as demanded by the UK Parliament. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday the EU could only “add wording” to the Political Declaration about what they aim for in their future relationship. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images May’s meeting with EU leaders takes place amid a frosty atmosphere after European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted there was a “special place in Hell” for people who “promoted Brexit” without a plan to execute it. — Charles Michel February 6, 2019 After meeting Tusk on Thursday, May said the language he used in the tweet “was not helpful and caused widespread dismay in the United Kingdom.” British lawmakers voted last month to send May back to Brussels to renegotiate the terms of the Brexit deal, specifically over concerns regarding the Irish backstop. In a joint statement, May and Juncker described their meeting as “robust but constructive” and said they’d agreed that the UK and EU “should hold talks as to whether a way through can be found that would gain the broadest possible support in the UK Parliament and respect the guidelines agreed by the European Council.” As she arrived to meet Juncker, May was met by an anti-Brexit protester who jumped in front of her car while holding a poster that read “Don’t Crash Out!” The man was swiftly intercepted by security.