Nine days before Britain’s scheduled departure from the European Union, European Council President Donald Tusk said Wednesday that an extension for
Nine days before Britain’s scheduled departure from the European Union, European Council President Donald Tusk said Wednesday that an extension for withdrawal is possible – but only if U. K. parliament members approve Prime Minister Theresa May’s terms.
The condition stands to push British parliamentarians to vote a third time on May’s deal or prepare for a historic divorce without any deal at all.
May sent Tusk a letter requesting a delay until June 30. Britain’s exit from the EU is scheduled for March 29. The prime minister explained that she needed more time to convince parliamentarians to pass her deal.
Tusk told reporters that her request raises legal and political questions but that he believed a short extension «will be possible.» His consent hinged on a vote on May’s terms of separation by the House of Commons, although it has twice rejected May’s plans by an overwhelming majority.
«If the leaders approve my recommendations, and if there is a positive vote in the House of Commons next week, we can finalise and formalise the decision on the extension in a written procedure,» Tusk said.
