LONDON, UK (AFP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament just weeks before Britain’s EU departure date faced legal challenges on Thursday amid a furious outcry from pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit.

Johnson announced the surprise decision Wednesday to dismiss parliament next month for nearly five weeks, claiming his new government needed a fresh start in order to pursue a “bold and ambitious” post-Brexit domestic agenda.

But the move ahead of the 31 October Brexit date sent shockwaves through British politics.

Johnson’s opponents labelled the suspension of parliament a “coup” and a “constitutional outrage.”

The prime minister insists Britain must leave the European Union on time, with or without a divorce deal — and the move limits his opponents’ room for maneuver.

It prompted immediate court bids in London, Edinburgh and Belfast to halt the process.

An interim ruling is expected in the Edinburgh case on Friday.

Major protests were planned for Saturday as politicians scrambled for ways to counter Johnson.

The leaders of the six opposition parties in parliament condemned Johnson’s “undemocratic” actions in a joint statement, saying they believed a majority of MPs were against the move.

“We demand that the prime minister reverses this decision immediately or allows MPs to vote on whether there should be one,” they said of the suspension.

“The prime minister is shutting down parliament with the sole aim of stopping MPs from avoiding a no-deal Brexit.

“Voters are being deprived of the opportunity to have their representatives hold the government to account.”

Labour opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would try to start a parliamentary process that would allow Johnson’s opponents to legislate to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal and to stop the suspension of business.