UK, EU in suspense as May tries to strike power deal

British Prime Minister Theresa May will try to clinch a deal Wednesday that would allow her minority government to survive, as EU leaders voice growing impatience to start Brexit negotiations. May lost her parliamentary majority in last week’s election and is now desperately seeking the support of the 10 MPs from Northern Ireland’s ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party. An initial round of talks between May and DUP leader Arlene Foster ended with no agreement on Tuesday, although both sides said they were hopeful, with talks to resume Wednesday. On a visit to Paris on Tuesday evening where she met with French President Emmanuel Macron, May described the talks as “productive”. The talks are being closely watched in European capitals as they could delay the expected start of Brexit negotiations next week, as well as change Britain’s entire approach to its EU withdrawal. The DUP is believed to be more favourable to a “soft Brexit” that would keep Northern Ireland’s border with the Republic of Ireland free-flowing. The negotiations with the DUP revolve around support from the party on a vote-by-vote basis in parliament, rather than a formal coalition government. But the prospect of a deal has prompted warnings that it could upset Northern Ireland’s fragile peace. As talks go on, the EU unveiled plans to give itself new powers over London’s banking business after Brexit, in what could be a blow to the city’s supremacy as a global financial hub.