ECJ, like a Greco-Roman goddess, did Justice and gave Mercy at once in its Article 50 ruling

By George ILIEV
Brexit Metaphor No 52

The scales of Themis/Justitia, the goddess of justice, not only weigh up right vs. wrong. They also weigh up justice vs. mercy. So it comes as no surprise that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) did justice and had mercy on the UK in a single ruling today, by confirming Britain's right to unilaterally revoke the triggering of Article 50. 

1) Justice was done by confirming that the UK is sovereign to enter into and withdraw from international treaties as it pleases, in accordance with its constitutional requirements. This runs in the face of Brexiteers who claim that the EU is a superstate. The Court (again) ruled that the Lisbon Treaty is merely an international treaty. 

2) Mercy was given by allowing the UK a way out of the Brexit mess. Theresa May should be grateful for this one day.

The ECJ ruling runs counter to the positions of both the British Government and the European Commission and the EU Council. So hopefully this time round we won't need to brace ourselves for a salvo of headlines in British tabloids The Sun and the Daily Express on "so-called judges" and "enemies of the people".

Scales of Justice (Source: Wikipedia)

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Notes:
1. Timeline: This article is part of a daily #BrexitMetaphors series, with 109 more Brexit Metaphors to follow until Brexit day, March 29, 2019.
2. Disclosure: The author has a master's degree in European Integration.
3. Invitation: If you'd like to contribute to the debate, you are welcome to leave a comment below.