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1st LD: UK PM calls snap election on June 8

Xinhua, April 18, 2017 Adjust font size:

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday called an early general election on June 8, nearly one month after she officially triggered the Brexit process.

The prime minister said she will move a motion for an early election in the House of Commons Wednesday, for MPs to vote on. It will require a two-thirds majority to be carried.

She cited disharmony and divisions in the Houses of Parliament over Brexit as the reason for calling an early election.

"The country is coming together, Westminster is not," said May in her statement.

May said the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to "hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take."

May will go to the House of Commons Tuesday to lay down the necessary legislation for the calling of an early general election.

Under existing law, an election is not due until May 2020, and until earlier Tuesday May had insisted she would not call an early election.

The move will require a vote with a two-thirds majority of MPs supporting the measure.

Although among British people May has a high rating as prime minister, she only has a small majority in the House of Commons. Endi