Report comment

@ James Ball
There is no bouncing. The exiting Member States freely and unilaterally decides the withdrawal; it is not forced by anyone. Indeed it forces others to do something, that is, engage in withdrawal negotiations.
The exiting state is out at moment when the withdrawal is accepted. The time of exit is deferred at the end of the 2 years but legally the exit is perfected at that time.
This is why art. 50 says that the Member State can reapply (and enter into a new international agreement) and does not say that the withdrawal notice can be revoked unilaterally as the exiting member pleases.
There is nothing overly legalistic.