EU approves UK to postpone Brexit until May 22
The EU has approved Britain's withdrawal from the bloc on May 22, provided the British parliament approves the Prime Minister's draft deal.
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British Prime Minister Theresa May. Photo:CNN. |
"I met Prime Minister May several times tonight to ensure the UK accepted the extension scenarios and I am pleased to confirm we have reached agreement on this issue," European Union (EU) Council President Donald Tusk said on March 31, according toAFP.
Accordingly, the leaders of the 27 EU member states will extend Article 50.(Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty sets out how a country leaves the EU)on the withdrawal process until May 22, on the condition that the British parliament next week must approve the draft agreement that Prime Minister Theresa May has reached with the 27 EU countries.Mrs May previously sent a letter to Mr Tusk asking to "delay the triggering of Article 50 until 30 June".
However, if the British House of Commons continues to reject the deal as it has twice before, Brexit will take place on April 12, unless Britain decides to participate in this year's European Parliament elections.
The British Prime Minister confirmed that London will not participate in the European Parliament elections on May 23-26 because it "respects" the voters' decision on Brexit. "I believe it would be wrong to ask people in the UK to take part in this election three years after voting to leave the EU," Mrs. May said.
Britain held a referendum in June 2016, with 52% of voters voting to leave the EU. The EU in November 2018 accepted London's Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on future EU-UK relations, whichBritain will leave the EU on March 29.
However, this draft agreement was rejected by the British parliament in two votes onJanuary 15 and March 12.The House of Commons is also looking to block a third vote unless there are major changes to Mrs May's plans.