At last, the two-year Brexit clock is about to start ticking. The months-long phony war of words will give way to real talks.
What is clear is that two years after Article 50 is activated on Wednesday, the U.K. will no longer be a member of the EU, whether or not a deal has been struck on the terms of the divorce. But much is unclear about how the talks will play out. What happens next? And who are the players that will really count?
Here’s your essential POLITICO reading list on the talks and what they mean for the U.K. and the rest of Europe.
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What happens after Theresa May triggers Article 50
Once May pulls the trigger, what next? This is your route map to the months of negotiations ahead.
Brexit power matrix
These are the people who will have to steer through the obstacles, and manage crises as the talks unfold. Brussels will be the center of gravity of negotiations, but national figureheads rather than EU officials hold the real power.
Britain’s Brexit plan B
What happens if (as is highly likely) a trade deal cannot be reached during Britain’s exit negotiations? British trade officials are discreetly exploring a 10-year interim arrangement with the European Union using a little-known WTO clause.
EU’s goal in Brexit talks: divorce first
On the EU side of the negotiations they want to get the divorce over first before they will talk about trade. Only if a satisfactory outcome is reached on the Brexit bill, citizens rights’ and other key points will the EU27 expand the mandate of chief negotiator Michel Barnier to include a future trade or other partnership deal.
Michel Barnier’s Brexit dream team
The European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator has assembled a team of roughly 30 staffers to coordinate the EU’s position. This task force is likely to more than double in the first months of talks. But who are the key players?
Merkel and May: splitting differences
The two leaders share a similar background and speak the same political language: cautious, pragmatic Christian conservatism. How their power relationship at the heart of the Brexit negotiations plays out will be key to what happens.
13 things you didn’t know about Brexit
From the number of British MEPs on the chopping block to number of financial services “passports” at risk, this is Brexit by the numbers.
The real Mr. Brexit
He’s the most important player in the Brexit negotiations you’ve probably never heard of. Oliver Robbins is Theresa May’s EU adviser and, during the talks, will function as the prime minister’s “sherpa” — the point man for all important decisions.
Article 50 author Lord Kerr: I didn’t have UK in mind
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The veteran British diplomat who wrote Article 50 did not imagine his own country would be the one to use it. John Kerr — now Lord Kerr of Kinlochard — imagined that the exit procedure might be triggered after an authoritarian leader took power in a member country.
Article 50 annotated
An interactive guide to Article 50, with comments from its author Lord Kerr of Kinlochard.
A Brexit lexicon
From Article 50 to Zero (the amount Brexiteers want to pay the EU for its divorce) by way of Pollsters and the Queen. This is the ultimate Brexit A to Z.
Ireland’s Brexit meltdown
Dublin is convinced that Britain’s departure from the EU will be disastrous and is desperate for the rest of Europe not to forget its plight.
… and finally Brexit: the board game
What better way to celebrate the triggering of Article 50 than by gathering all the family and enjoying an old-fashioned board game? Choose to play as hard or soft Brexit and remember, no cheating — unless you are Michael Gove.