Katy Balls Katy Balls

The Brexit extension waiting game

The UK and Brussels are currently engaged in a waiting game – only no one is sure who is waiting for whom. EU leaders had been expected to announce the terms and length of an Article 50 extension this Friday. However, that decision has been put on hold in light of Boris Johnson’s call for a general election – with MPs voting on a motion on Monday. Speaking in Brussels following a meeting of ambassadors, Michel Barnier – the EU’s chief negotiator – said ‘no decision’ had been made on a way forward. A decision is likely to be made on Monday or Tuesday.

EU leaders want to wait and see what happens with the election vote. However, opposition leaders – notably Jeremy Corbyn – want to wait and see what happens with the extension before making up their minds about an election.

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