May to set out Brexit vision in Florence amid protests

British Prime Minister Theresa May arrived in the central Italian city of Florence on Friday amid protests from local residents and British citizens in the area as she prepares to set out her vision for Brexit.

May is expected to lobby the European Union for good terms on the deal, covering a wide array of topics including terms for trade between Britain and countries that remain in the EU, the rights of EU citizens to work and travel in Britain, as well as tax issues, Xinhua news agency reported.

Before arriving in Italy, May said repeatedly she would rather have no deal than a bad one. But some within the EU have said the bloc should make things as difficult as possible for Britain, at least in part to create a disincentive for other countries to take similar steps.

The route of May's arrival from Florence airport featured a smattering of protests, several with signs protesting the impact that Brexit will have on the EU and blasting May for continuing to push through a Brexit deal pollsters say is now opposed by a majority of British residents.

Many protestors carried the blue-and-yellow flag of the EU on the streets of Florence, the Italian capital of culture.

--IANS

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