Boris Johnson said Wednesday that he had asked the Queen's permission to suspend the parliament's work until 14 October. This would limit the time lawmakers have to prevent a no-deal Brexit, although Johnson claimed that there would still be enough time to discuss Brexit. Queen Elizabeth II has approved Johnson’s plan.
Meanwhile, the online petition dubbed "Do not prorogue Parliament" has passed in less than 24 hours a million signatures.
Johnson's move may have also placed his narrow majority in parliament under added strain, given that opposition parties may resort to closer cooperation in a bid to trigger a vote of no confidence in his administration. As of Tuesday, over 160 lawmakers had signed the so-called "Church House Declaration" which vows to resist any effort to impinge on parliament's ability to convene.
The United Kingdom is expected to leave the European Union by 31 October, but the process has remained stalled after the country’s parliament rejected the current deal proposed by the European Union. Despite this, lawmakers have spoken out against leaving the European Union without a deal.
The new prime minister made it clear that he wanted the United Kingdom to leave the European Union in October, "come what may", although he said he preferred an orderly exit.