Abstract | This article aims at taking stock of the Brexit developments thus far and provides the readers with an analysis of how, broadly understood, immigration has contributed to the results of the referendum and what role it plays in the negotiations between the EU and the UK. Brexit negotiations, as anticipated, have proven to be a very complicated and multifaceted affair. One of the most controversial items on the agenda of the negotiating teams have been the rights of EU migrating citizens residing in the United Kingdom as well as UK nationals, who have been exercising their free movement rights in one of the Member States of the European Union. This dossier was bound to stir controversies from the start. Alas, the pre-referendum debate, as well as events that unfolded in its aftermath, have turned Cives Europae into bargaining chips. Whatever the outcome of these negotiations, or - in more general terms - the Brexit itself, it is likely to leave a bitter aftertaste. This article aims at taking stock of the developments thus far and provides the readers with an analysis how broadly understood immigration has contributed to the results of referendum (section 2) and what role it plays in the negotiations between the EU and the UK (section 3). In the latter part, the analysis will cover the tentative agreement on the status of EU/UK citizens post-Brexit. While the deal was reached in December 2017, a draft Withdrawal Agreement presented in February 2018, there were still leftovers to be dealt with in course of 2018. Furthermore, the entry into force of Withdrawal Agreement should not be treated as a fait accompli. Bearing this in mind the readers are also offered an analysis of a hypothetical - for the time being - scenario of an unregulated withdrawal. Furthermore, a transitional period, which was being contemplated on when this article was finalised, is also taken on board. |
---|