Timeline: Post-Brexit Milestones 2016 Summer Following the decision of the UK electorate on 23 June to leave the Under Slovakia’s Presidency, the European Union commences its European Union, David Cameron resigns as Prime Minister. After all but preparations. UK Commissioner Jonathan Hill steps down to be one contender withdraw from the Conservative Party leadership race, replaced by Sir Julian King who will lead on security and immigration Theresa May is appointed as the UK’s new Prime Minister on 13 July. issues. Frenchman Michel Barnier is appointed the Commission’s Brexit She subsequently appoints her Cabinet, announces Machinery of negotiator; Belgian Guy Verhofstadt takes the lead for the European Government changes and chairs the first Cabinet Committee for Exiting Parliament. European Member States meanwhile commence their own the EU on 25 July, before embarking on an initial tour of European discussions about the future direction of the European Union and the leaders and going on her summer holiday. This is followed on her return stance to be taken towards the UK. by a Cabinet meeting at Chequers to determine first red lines for the impending exit negotiations before the UK Parliament returns from its Summer Recess on 5 September: delivering a “unique deal” including controls on migration and positive outcome for goods and services trade. Following legal challenges, the Labour Party, meanwhile, undergoes its own leadership election that sees Jeremy Corbyn pitted against Owen Smith. September From September: Several months of high-level industry September: 2017/18 EU Presidency Trio (Estonia, roundtables (financial services, technology, retail, Bulgaria, Austria) meet in Bulgaria to discuss priorities manufacturing, aerospace, automotive) to inform Brexit negotiations and UK Government support, as part of 16 September: Informal 27 EU Leaders meeting in “national consensus building” Bratislava to prepare “process of deep reflection for a new future for Europe” (without the UK) 24 – 28 September: Labour Party Conference / Leadership Results October October: High Court to hear legal challenge on Art. 50 / parliamentary sovereignty 2 – 5 October: Conservative Party Conference 2 October: Hungarian Referendum on EU migration quotas 3-4 October: WTO General Council 20-21 October: European Council November November: Italian Constitutional Referendum (could trigger Renzi’s resignation) / French Republican Conference to select Presidential Candidate (incl. Juppe; Sarkozy; Fillon; Le Maire) 8 November: US Presidential Election 23 November: Autumn Statement December December: French Socialist Conference to select Presidential Candidate (incl. Hollande; Montebourg) By December: Romanian National Election 15-16 December: European Council 2017 January 1 January: Malta assumes EU Presidency February By February: Implementation of 2014 Swiss referendum decision to restrict free movement 12 February: German Bundesversammlung to elect President March By March: Dutch National Election 25 March: 60th anniversary of Treaty of Rome / Merkel’s deadline for agreement on shape of future deal April Q1 2017 or Q4 2017: UK Government to trigger Article 50 and commence 24-months period of 23 April: French Presidential Election: first round withdrawal negotiations / new UK-EU relationship May 7 May: French Presidential Election: second round 14 May: German Lander Election (Northrhine Westphalia) 26/27 May: G7 Summit in Italy June July 1 July: Estonia assumes EU Presidency (formerly UK) 7/8 July: G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany August 27 August – 22 October: Period in which German September National Election can be held October November December December: WTO Ministerial Conference 2018 1 January: Bulgaria assumes EU Presidency Spring: Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (held in UK) 1 July: Austria assumes EU Presidency 2019 1 January: Romania assumes EU Presidency May: European Parliament Elections 1 July: Finland assumes EU Presidency Autumn: New European Commission appointed 2020 From 2020: New 7-year Multi-Annual Financial Framework 1 January: Croatia assumes EU Presidency 7 May: UK General Election 1 July: Germany assumes EU Presidency Correct as at: 13 September 2016.