What to Expect From the Next Season of Brexit Saga

It’s been three years since Britain voted to break away from the European Union, but the country still hasn’t managed to leave. Delivering a departure turned out to be trickier than the referendum slogans suggested, and the country has yet to decide what Brexit should really mean. The risk of a messy no-deal split remains real, and companies continue to spend millions preparing for the worst. Brexit has already brought down two prime ministers: Don’t rule out another general election before the divorce is resolved.

Prime Minister Theresa May spent two years pursuing a compromise but was ultimately foiled by hardliners on both sides of the debate. One of her most strident critics -- the Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson -- looks set to replace her as prime minister, and he vows to succeed in negotiations with Brussels where she failed. But the timing is tight: the new prime minister won’t be confirmed until the end of July, and the deadline for leaving the EU -- twice extended -- is Oct. 31. It’s possible, but by no means certain, the EU would allow another extension. Johnson has said he wouldn’t ask for another delay.