European markets closed slightly higher on Tuesday, as U.K. lawmakers debated Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill ahead of two crucial votes.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 ended the session 0.1% higher at 394.59, with most sectors and all major bourses in positive territory. Oil and gas stocks rose 1.3% to lead gains while the travel and leisure sector slipped 1% lower.
Members of Parliament (MPs) will vote twice on Tuesday evening, first on whether a bill for Johnson’s exit plan should proceed through parliament in principle, and the second on whether the prime minister should be allowed to drive his legislation through the House of Commons by the end of Thursday. The latter offers only a relatively short period of time for lawmakers to scrutinize the bill. If Johnson fails at the second hurdle, an extension to the October 31 deadline is likely.
Source : CNBC