European leaders offer a long Brexit delay, averting a chaotic exit on Friday
By Michael Birnbaum and Michael Birnbaum Brussels bureau chief covering Europe Email Bio Follow William Booth William Booth London bureau chief Email Bio Follow April 10 at 6:40 PM BREAKING NEWS: Although British Prime Minister Theresa May had asked for an extension until the end of June, E.U. leaders are tired of emergency Brexit summits and skeptical of what she can accomplish in less than three months. They gave her until Oct.31.
People are reflected in the window of a European Commission building in Brussels ahead of an extraordinary summit of European Union leaders to discuss Brexit. She blamed the British Parliament for rejecting the withdrawal agreement. And she said she hoped British lawmakers would pass the exit deal before the end of May, so Britain would not need to participate in the European Parliament elections.
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite at least offered a few kind words for May’s try, try and try again approach to Brexit: “I have not seen, at least in my life, any leader who has such stamina, strength, and patience.” But the International Monetary Fund warned on Tuesday that a no-deal Brexit could lead to a two-year recession for Britain. And European leaders are in no mood to invite further economic or political instability.
Meanwhile, May’s talks with the opposition Labour Party to forge a compromise deal that could win approval in the divided House of Commons have yet to produce any breakthroughs. Both Labour and Conservative leaders described the negotiations as “productive,” but opposition negotiators have complained that May was not moving far from her red lines. The sides were not meeting on Wednesday, but say they will return to talks on Thursday.
The conversation afterward was tougher, with leaders peppering May about her political strategy, the chances she might strike a bargain with her opponents and her commitment to not obstructing E.U. business if Britain remains in the club, other diplomats said.
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