Labour MEP Alfred Sant told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that its report on the
assessment of the implementation of Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union shies away from making a clear and transparent self-audit on the inadequacies of the European Union in the Brexit process.
The report assessed the way the provisions of Article 50 of the Treaty of the European
Union were interpreted and applied when the United Kingdom’s withdrawal was being dealt with by the European Union. Article 50 establishes the right of a Member State to withdraw from the European Union and how to do so.
Former Malta Prime Minister Sant emphasized that the report falls short of providing well
defined solutions that would enable European Union decision makers to learn from past
mistakes. Besides, “the report again regurgitates elements of the sterile blame game
ongoing since the United Kingdom announced its withdrawal from the Union”, he stressed.
Sant noted that the resolution expressed disappointment that English citizens were never given a clear picture of the situation once their country would leave the European Union.
However, he remarked that this lack of information is comparable to the game that
European Union players indulge in when promoting campaigns, they support.
“These fundamental flaws undermine the credibility of the report and I have abstained in
the vote on it”, Sant stated.
The report was adopted with 516 votes in favour, 85 against and 91 abstentions.
