Re: Merkel Starts to Cave In....
The title of your thread suggests you haven't understood.
Merkel is an old fox at this game. Let me translate what she is saying.
In the present withdrawal agreement the backstop kicks in when negotiations on future trade are not succesful by the end of the transition period. That makes the backstop sort of a punishment for the negotiators. That doesn't feel right.
Besides, it is a subject that hinders the conclusion of the withdrawal at present. Her suggestion is: formulate the withdrawal in such terms that the backstop is present at the date of leaving. In other words, it is not hanging as a kind of sword of damocles over the negotiations. It also means the UK will in effect not fully leave on the date of withdrawal, but clever formulations of the terms should cover up that fact.
In short she says, accept that the backstop will kick in. Accept it and to avoid trouble at that future date, introduce the backstop now without anybody noticing.
Will the british side understand what she is offering?