EU seals Brexit deal

All 27 remaining European Union leaders approved the Brexit agreement with the United Kingdom on Sunday, leaving confirmation from the British Parliament as the final step in the process. The EU countries agreed to the Brexit plan after British Ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow assured Spain in a letter that the British overseas territory of Gibraltar would get consent before any future trade deal. Spain had threatened not to back Brexit over Gibraltar, which it claims falls in its territory.

The deal still still faces heavy opposition from both Brexit and EU supporters in British Parliament. Prime Minister Theresa May promised a vote before Parliament breaks for Christmas on Dec. 20. Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland, said her party will not support the deal and called for a third option. “This is the deal that is on the table,” May said. “It is the best possible deal. It is the only deal. … The British people don’t want to spend any more time arguing about Brexit.” Britain is set to leave the EU on March 29, 2019.