Negotiating parties from the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) are tirelessly working on the draft text of a potential Brexit agreement. While British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is quite confident that a deal will come by the end of this week, talks are still going on.
According to the Telegraph, Johnson is "increasingly optimistic" for a Brexit deal to come along within the next few days. It is unclear if the Wednesday meeting will finally result in a withdrawal agreement.
Hard-line Brexiteers have reaffirmed that they are ready to vote for a Brexit deal and if this happens, the British Parliament still has to back the vote during the weekend. Furthermore, whatever happens, this week will most likely determine whether Johnson keeps his post at No. 10 or not.
The negotiators are also headed for a summit tomorrow that could play a key role in delivering the much elusive Brexit deal. Analysts predicted that the draft could be completed by Thursday so the European Commission and Brexit negotiators can discuss the propositions.
Hopes of a deal have been high since Tuesday after Irish unionists pledged flexibility amid the biggest issue with the previous proposed Brexit deal: a Northern Ireland customs border.
The EU, which originally had a hard-line stance against further delaying the British exit from the bloc beyond October 31, hinted that an extension may be allowed if necessary, The Guardian reported.
The willingness to have an open-mind for concessions allowed for hopes to be raised for a Brexit deal, despite earlier concerns about how the U.K. will stick up for its decision to have a hard Irish border should a no-deal Brexit emerge.
Most economic and political experts predicted that if Thursday's summit follows the same optimistic path that this week's developments took, the most likely scenario would be an extension to give Johnson and his government more time to draft up a deal reasonable enough for the EU to agree on.
Despite Johnson's earlier statements that the U.K. will leave the bloc on October 31 by all means, Germany and France have been rallying for an extension. With the apparent change of tone in the British Parliament, analysts believe there is hope for a deal soon.
Meanwhile, some analysts suggested that the British PM should not give too much authority and ground to Brussels regarding concessions if he wants to get Parliament on his side for his Brexit deal.
Johnson may be pouring genuine efforts in meeting the EU halfway regarding Northern Ireland but he still has to get his government's support for a much-anticipated Brexit deal that could end economic fears for the exiting country.
