EU leaders could delay Brexit extension verdict amid Christmas election uncertainty
2 min read
EU leaders are set to delay their decision over how long a Brexit extension to offer the UK amid uncertainty over whether Boris Johnson will succeed in his attempt to call a snap election.
European ambassadors will meet in Brussels on Friday to consider how to respond to the Prime Minister's letter last weekend requesting a delay until 31 January at the latest.
However, a final verdict is now not expected until next week - after MPs vote on the Prime Minister's bid to hold an election on 12 December.
According to the Times, uncertainty over whether Labour will back the plan has contributed to the EU's decision to delay, with France seeking clarity on the situation at Westminster before deciding its position.
But Jeremy Corbyn has said the party will not make a decision until the EU has announced the length of Brexit extension it is willing to offer.
Amélie de Montchalin, France’s European affairs minister said: "If there are elections that are not just desired but announced, organised, well then we will be able to take decisions.
"We need facts in order to make a decision . . . we will not deal in political fiction.
"Our position is that simply giving more time — without political change, without ratification, without an election — would be useless.”
And a diplomatic source told the paper: “As a result of the Corbyn move it will be harder to achieve consensus. We will all lament the lack of clarity and not take a decision.
“There will be a lot of discussion over the weekend and potentially a decision on Monday or Tuesday.”
European Council president Donald Tusk is expected to update European leaders on the situation on Friday.
Boris Johnson challenged the Labour leader on Thursday to back a 12 December poll in exchange for more time to debate the Withdrawal Agreement Bill,
But it is far from certain whether he would be able to get the two-thirds majority he needs under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.
While Labour's position remains unclear, other opposition parties such as the SNP and Plaid Cymru have also said they could withhold support for a general election until a no-deal Brexit is completely ruled out.
An EU official said: “The danger of something going badly wrong for everyone is increasing. MPs need to really think it through. This is the territory of unintended consequences.”
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