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EU Parliament Votes Overwhelmingly in Favor of Brexit

Lisa Bryant

   PARIS - The European Parliament gave the green light for Britain's
   departure from the European Union Wednesday evening, hours before
   Brexit becomes reality. The vote was overwhelming, 621 to 49, but it
   was an emotional departure.

   After being part of some sort of a European union for nearly half a
   century, it took only a few seconds for Britain to see its departure
   overwhelmingly approved by the European Parliament.

   The next step promises to be difficult, as Britain negotiates its
   future relationship the EU, especially on trade matters. European
   Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had this message for London:

   "It's very clear the tradeoff is simple: The more united the United
   Kingdom does commit to uphold our standards for social protection and
   workers' rights, our guarantees for the environment and other standards
   and rules ensuring fair competition, the closer and better the access
   to the single market," she said.

   Emotional split

   But many lawmakers stuck to the emotional part of the split.

   "To all of you, I will say that I will miss you," a French lawmaker
   said. "The EU will not be the same without you. My deep feeling is
   there is no good Brexit."

   "If the British people ever decide to come back, our arms will be
   open," a Spanish lawmaker said.

   Others warned that Britain's departure should spark soul-searching
   about what is broken with the EU.

   "We European decisionmakers must realize that an increasing number of
   fellow citizens have turned their backs against the European projects,
   it's for a reason," a Belgian lawmaker said. "It's because many believe
   that too often policies adopted at the European level have served the
   few rather than the many."

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