The chair of the Bundestag’s foreign affairs committee, Norbert Röttgen, a senior member of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, has been Tweeting over the past few days on the new Brexit Deal and the parliamentary situation in the UK.

It helps to provide a useful insight into some of the reasons that Germany seems a lot more inclined to accept a long extension to the Art. 50 process. There is an understanding that ultimately the deal needs to go back to the people.

“There is a new #BrexitDeal on the table. If that is what both sides want: fine. But my stance hasn’t changed: It should be up to the people to have a final say on #Brexit. A long #extension would leave time for this!

— Norbert Röttgen (@n_roettgen) October 17, 2019“

And that the backstops needed are not just the diplomatic/trade ones contained in the Withdrawal Agreement but a parliamentary backstop is needed to close the backdoor to a NoDeal Brexit.

“Turns out #Brexit is all about backstops & for good reason: Cause this is about the future of 🇬🇧 & 🇪🇺. Today it’s a backstop of parliamentary making. #Letwin amend. forces Johnson to ask for extension & table Brexit legislation before MPs decide on deal. #Nodeal backdoor is shut!

— Norbert Röttgen (@n_roettgen) October 19, 2019“

And that to achieve a settled solution for the UK to debate and decide on the long-term solution, a long extension should be granted, allowing the EU to get on with other important issues. Germany was inclined to give a significantly longer extension last time for exactly this reason. But France, largely driven by domestic pressures, disagreed.

“#Johnson sent the letter, asking EU leaders for another #Brexit #extension. Euco should now grant a final long one, giving the UK time to sort itself out & to prepare for all possible resolutions including a #SecondReferendum. Meanwhile EU could deal with other pressing issues.

— Norbert Röttgen (@n_roettgen) October 20, 2019“

It’s good to see such a pragmatic view being expressed. Clearly not everybody thinks that “hurry up and get it done” is in everyone’s Best Interest.

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Published by Grahame Pigney on behalf of The People’s Challenge Ltd.