May Asks EU for Brexit Extension to June 30; EU Could Offer A year
LONDON/ BRUSSELS – British Prime Minister Theresa May wrote to European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday asking for a delay of Brexit until up to June 30, but said she aims to get Britain out of the EU earlier to avoid it participating in European elections.
An EU official signaled that Donald Tusk, the chairman of EU leaders, could be willing to offer even longer: up to a year for Britain’s feuding politicians to agree and ratify a plan.
France, however, indicated it was not yet ready to accept an extension unless the British presented a clear plan which would justify such a delay.
“We’re not there today,” a close to French President Emmanuel Macron said told Reuters.
Britain is now due to leave the EU in a week, but May has been forced to seek more time after Britain’s parliament failed to approve a withdrawal agreement.
REUTERS
R.S