MEP Pabriks: Snap elections in Britain could have opposite effect

RIGA  - In an interview on the LNT television channel this morning, European Parliament Member Artis Pabriks (Unity) said that the decision by British Prime Minister Theresa May to call snap elections could backfire and have an opposite effect of what she hopes.

He said that one of the versions for calling the snap elections is to gain a stronger position in the Brexit negotiations and to shore up the government with ministers and politicians who support Brexit.

However, Pabriks said that the snap elections could have an opposite effect. ''Many British citizens have woken up and come to the conclusion that this not what they want,'' he said, adding that another referendum could not be ruled out.

''In this specific case, it is clear that May believes she lacks the support not just within society and in parliament, but also within her party in regards to the Brexit negotiations,'' he added.

''Until Brexit has not officially happened yet, I would still like to believe there remains a chance for a reverse,'' Pabriks went on to say.

The AFP news agency reports that British Prime Minister Theresa May called on Tuesday for an early election on June 8, saying she needed to strengthen her hand in divorce talks with the European Union by shoring up support for her Brexit plan.

May said she had been reluctant about asking parliament to back her move to bring forward the election from 2020, but decided it was necessary to win support for her ruling Conservative Party's efforts to press ahead with Britain's departure from the EU.

"I have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet where we agreed that the government should call a General Election to be held on the 8th of June," May said in a surprise statement. "It was with reluctance that I decided the country needs this election, but it is with strong conviction that I say it is necessary to secure the strong and stable leadership the country needs to see us through Brexit and beyond."