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WORLD NEWS Friday 15 February 2019
UK's May suffers embarrassing defeat on Brexit strategy

By JILL LAWLESS it.
Associated Press But lawmakers also voted
LONDON (AP) — British to rule out a "no-deal" exit,
Prime Minister Theresa May though without signaling
suffered an embarrassing how that should happen.
defeat by lawmakers Thurs- On Thursday the govern-
day in a vote that left her ment was defeated on an
bid to secure a European uncontroversial-sounding
Union divorce deal stuck motion reiterating the earli-
between an intransigent EU er decision, when hard-line
and a resistant U.K. Parlia- pro-Brexit lawmakers in the
ment — with Brexit just six governing Conservatives
weeks away. abstained, accusing the
A rebellion by hard-core government of effective-
Brexit backers saw the ly ruling out the threat of
House of Commons vote leaving the EU without an
by 303 votes to 258 against agreement on departure
a motion reiterating sup- terms and future relations,
port for May's approach to a move they say under-
Brexit — support expressed mines Britain's bargaining
by lawmakers in votes just position.
two weeks ago. "Conservative MPs (mem-
The defeat is symbolic rath- Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves the Houses of Parliament in Westminster following a bers of Parliament) really
er than binding, but shows Brexit vote in the House of Commons, in London, Thursday Feb. 14, 2019. ought not to be associated
how weak May's hand is as Associated Press with anything, express or
she tries to secure changes implied, which seems to
to her divorce deal from "while we didn't secure the Others were blunter. Britain's orderly exit from the take 'no deal' off the table,"
the EU in order to win back- support of the Commons "What an absolute fiasco EU. Brexit-backing Conserva-
ing for it in Parliament. It is this evening," the govern- this is," said pro-EU Conser- Two weeks ago, Parliament tive lawmaker Steve Baker
likely to leave EU leaders ment believed Parliament vative lawmaker Anna Sou- sent a contradictory mes- tweeted before the vote.
wondering whether May still wanted May to seek bry. A leading pro-Brexit sage, voting to send May Pro-EU lawmakers in Brit-
can win support for any changes to the Brexit deal colleague, Bernard Jenkin, back to Brussels to seek ain's divided Parliament
kind of Brexit deal, given that lawmakers could sup- used the same word: "Fi- changes to a section of the feel the opposite. They fear
Britain's political instability. port. asco." withdrawal agreement in- time is running out to seal a
May tried to put a positive "The government will con- The vote is the latest out- tended to ensure an open deal before Britain topples
spin on the result. tinue to pursue this with the break of Brexit-driven cha- border between the U.K.'s off a "no-deal" cliff, with
The prime minister's office EU to ensure we leave on os that is roiling Britain's Northern Ireland and EU economically devastating
said in a statement that time on 29th March," it said. Parliament and imperiling member Ireland after Brex- results. q

EU voices concern as Romania moves to block prosecutor

ALISON MUTLER to lead the European Pub- On Wednesday, Kovesi
Associated Press lic Prosecutor's Office, due said prosecutors are prob-
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) to become operational at ing her for official miscon-
— Prosecutors applying for the end of 2020. duct and bribery. She de-
the post of European chief Toader removed Kovesi nies wrongdoing. She says
prosecutor must be treated from her post last year, cit- she will fly to Brussels Friday
fairly, the European Com- ing mismanagement and for a European Parliament
mission said Thursday, after asserting she overstepped hearing about the post.
Romania moved to block her authority. Some viewed Romanian President Klaus
one of its own nationals. the dismissal as politically Iohannis, an opponent of
Commission spokesman motivated. During her five- the government, voiced
Margaritis Schinas said Brus- year tenure at the National concern about the devel-
sels is following the case Anti-Corruption Director- opment Thursday, saying
closely adding it is crucial ate, Kovesi successfully probes of prosecutors and
that candidates put for- prosecuted hundreds of magistrates shouldn't be
ward by an independent officials including ministers, used as "a political instru-
selection panel are "treat- mayors and state compa- ment" or to intimidate pros- In this file photo dated Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, Romania's chief
anti-corruption prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi, who heads the
ed fairly." ny directors. ecutors. He called for "the country's anti-graft agency (DNA), sits after presenting the unit's
He spoke after Romanian Separately, Kovesi is suing law to be strictly respect- annual report, at the Military Circle, in Bucharest, Romania.
Justice Minister Tudorel Romania's government in ed," in Kovesi's case, and Associated Press
Toader wrote to EU justice the European Court of Hu- the situation "rapidly clari-
ministers accusing Laura man Rights over her firing. fied." mocracy Party embarked level corruption.
Codruta Kovesi, the for- She says she was dismissed Kovesi herself said: "It's clear on a contentious judicial Iohannis reiterated those
mer chief anti-corruption unfairly and had her rights that ... somebody is trying overhaul two years ago, concerns Thursday, telling
prosecutor, of signing "se- violated when she was de- to stop this procedure," in sparking protests. Critics, the government to "stop
cret and anti-democratic nied the right to appeal a a radio interview Wednes- including the EU and the taking even more steps
pacts" with the intelligence Constitutional Court deci- day. "They're trying to stop U.S., claimed the changes backward and taking Ro-
agency in corruption and sion that ordered her firing me getting this post as ... I would undermine the inde- mania off its European
national security probes. based on the minister's rec- am the favorite for the job." pendence of the judiciary path, as a democratic
Kovesi has been shortlisted ommendation. Romania's ruling Social De- and efforts to combat high- state."q