by Xinhua writers Gao Wencheng，Yang Xiaojing and Gui Tao
BEIJING/LONDON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Though Britain is going to have Boris Johnson as the new prime minister, old problems still linger on the way of ending the long and drawn-out Brexit chaos by the deadline of Oct. 31.
Analysts say Johnson won his party but not the country. That means, to finally take Britain out of the European Union (EU), he has to unite his fellow Tories, and more importantly, rally a divided parliament.
Johnson's tough Brexit stance could lead to a string of front bench resignations. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond has already stated publicly he will quit, saying he cannot support the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
Given the deadlock in the British parliament where lawmakers vow to overturn any government that attempts to leave the EU without a divorce deal, if Johnson's government cannot negotiate a new deal with the bloc and force a "no-deal" Brexit, it might lose a no-confidence vote in parliament, thus sparking an early general election with the now-ruling Conservative party facing an unprecedented challenge.
Such concerns stem from fears. Uncertainty around Brexit has been dragging the British economy and a "no-deal" Brexit could plunge Britain into recession.
Britain's economic growth has stalled, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), a London-based independent economics and finance think tank, said on Monday. If a no-deal Brexit is avoided, NIESR expected British economic growth to be little above 1 percent in 2019 and 2020.
EU leaders, the other side at the negotiating table, congratulated Johnson on his victory but remains tough on the breakup.
Michel Barnier, EU's chief Brexit negotiator, tweeted that they look forward to "working constructively" with Johnson when he takes office, to facilitate the ratification of "the Withdrawal Agreement," not a withdrawal agreement.
Differences have arisen between Britain and the EU on the Iranian issue as Britain, once an important player in the issue on EU's stance, is now stepping towards the U.S. stance because of the seizure of a British oil tanker by Iran.
There is a strong mutual interdependence between Britain and the rest of European economies. Brexit is "like taking an egg out of an omelette," Pascal Lamy, a former director-general of the World Trade Organization, warned.
To finally achieve his task, Johnson has to go through tough challenges. And whether he can fulfill his promises on leaving the EU, with or without a deal, is still unknown and for all to see in the near future.
