The review of the Brexit situation drawn up by EU officials says national leaders will face a “binary” choice of a short Article 50 extension to before May 23, or a long delay to at least the end of this year.
“Any extension offered to the United Kingdom should either last until 23 May 2019 or should be significantly longer and require European elections,” the leaked document says.
“This is the only way of protecting the functioning of the EU institutions and their ability to take decisions.”
The document, drawn up for European Commissioners, says that "any other option (as for example an extension until 30 June 2019) would entail serious legal and political risks for the European Union and would import some of the current uncertainties in the United Kingdom into the EU27".
It adds that "any other scenario would also have direct legal and practical consequences for the election of Members to the European Parliament in 14 of our Member States".
On Wednesday afternoon Theresa May wrote a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk formally requesting an extension past next Friday, the day Britain is currently set to leave the EU. She said she was “not prepared to delay Brexit any further than the 30 June”.
The decision of whether to extend and by how long is not up to Brussels – but the 27 other EU member states, who must unanimously approve any delay. Though there are differing views in EU capitals about a delay, throughout Brexit talks member states have however so far stuck close to the European Commission’s line.
If the Commission’s advice is followed by leaders on Thursday, Theresa May will have to choose between a very short extension, or a longer one. The latter is likely to be unpalatable to her party and Cabinet, while the former may not be long enough to achieve anything in – depending on what her plan is.
The reason for the concerns laid out in the document, which was reviewed by the Commission at its weekly meeting on Wednesday, is because of the logistical effect such a middling-length extension could have on the EU. [...]
Full article on The Independent
Press statement by Michel Barnier following the General Affairs Council (Article 50)
[...]Last week, the House of Commons voted against the Withdrawal Agreement and against a “no-deal” scenario.
But voting against “no deal” does not prevent it from happening.
Everyone should now finalise all preparations for a “no deal” scenario.
On the EU side, we are prepared. The European Parliament and the Council have now approved nearly all the foreseen contingency measures, and are working on the two last measures that still need to be adopted, namely on short-term visas and the EU budget for 2019.
The House of Commons also voted in favour of an extension of the Article 50 period.
If Prime Minister May requests such an extension before the European Council on Thursday, it will be for the 27 Leaders to assess the reason and the usefulness for an extension.
EU Leaders will need a concrete plan from the UK in order to be able to make an informed decision.
And key questions will be:
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Does an extension increase the chances for the ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement?
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Will the UK request an extension because it wants a bit more time to rework the Political Declaration?
Ladies and gentlemen, I recall that this Political Declaration, which sets out the framework for our future relation, could be made more ambitious in the coming days if a majority in the House of Commons so wishes.
If not, what would be the purpose and the outcome of an extension?
And how can we ensure that, at the end of a possible extension, we are not back in the same situation as today?
In any case, the European Council will need to assess what is in the best interest of the EU.
Extending the uncertainty without a clear plan would add to the economic cost for our businesses but could also incur a political cost for the EU.
It is for the British Government and Parliament to decide very quickly what the UK wants to do next. [...]
Full statement
Related article on The Independent: Brexit: EU countries 'really exhausted' by UK and could block Theresa May's delay, Germany warns
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