Early British election won't affect Brexit talks, says Germany
A planned early election in Britain, announced by Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday, will not delay negotiations on its withdrawal from the European Union, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government said on Wednesday.
"The German government does not expect the election to interfere with the process of negotiations with Britain on leaving the EU," said government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer, adding Merkel and May had spoken by telephone on Tuesday.
EU's Juncker spoke to May on Tuesday, says Brexit talks to start after June 8 election - Spokesman
May says the right and responsible thing is for parliament to vote for an early election
Former UK Chancellor George Osborne says he will not run in the June general election according to the Evening Standard.
May urges parliament to vote for early election
British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday asked parliament to back her call for an early national election, saying the result would help unify parliament behind her Brexit plan and prevent instability.
Under electoral law, May must win a two thirds majority in a parliamentary vote due to be held later on Wednesday before she can officially call an early election. May is expected to win the vote, and wants to hold an election on June 8.
"I believe that at this moment of enormous national significance there should be unity here in Westminster not division," May told parliament. "That's why it is the right and responsible thing for all of us here today to vote for a general election."
Theresa May introduces a motion for an election ahead of schedule that must be backed by two thirds of the 650 seat lower House of Commons. This means that the government needs 434 votes to call the election. The vote is expected to take place at 1415gmt.
UK parliament votes by 522 to 13 in favour of holding early general election.