EU’s Jean-Claude Juncker says no more short Brexit extensions
The head of the European Commission says he will work until the last moment for a deal — but that the EU is ready for a no-deal brexit
London — The EU will not grant Britain another short delay to Brexit if UK MPs fail to ratify the stalled divorce agreement by April 12, the head of the bloc’s executive European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said on Wednesday. Juncker spoke after British Prime Minister Theresa May announced on Tuesday evening that she would request a second Brexit delay beyond the current cliff-edge date of April 12. May is seeking to agree a deal with the main opposition Labour Party that would unlock ratification of the withdrawal agreement she negotiated with Brussels, which the British lower house of parliament has rejected three times. “The best way forward is the ratification of the withdrawal agreement,” Juncker told the European parliament. “April 12 is the ultimate deadline for approval of the agreement by the house of commons. If it has not done by then, no further short extension will be possible,” he said. “A ‘no-deal’ at midnight on April 12 is now a very likely scenario. It is not ...
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