A little over a month into his time as British prime minister and Boris Johnson can’t escape a topic that has haunted the last two prime ministers: Brexit. It’s a nightmare scenario for any leader, and with the Oct. 31 deadline quickly approaching, negotiators don’t appear to be anywhere close to a deal.

Johnson’s ascent to 10 Downing St. was based on his bold promise to do something his two predecessors didn’t want to accomplish: deliver a clean break from the European Union. Since becoming prime minister, he’s been leveraging all the power the office holds to make good on that promise. He’s asked Queen Elizabeth II to suspend Parliament to limit debate from the opposition who seek to delay Brexit, and he’s pledged to call for an early election in October that will have only two outcomes: Either he strengthens his support in Parliament, or he comes out a loser and is forced to resign. Now Johnson has officially suspended Parliament until mid-October.