According to the Brexit representative of the European People’s Party (EPP), Elmar Brok (CDU), agreement by the EU states to postpone Britain’s exit from the EU is uncertain. The approval must be unanimous, but there are currently „but very different views,“ said the MEP on Deutschlandfunk.
Brok said that according to British right-wing populist Nigel Farage, there is an agreement with „the strongman of the Italian government,“ Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, that the government in Rome will refuse any extension of the Brexit deadline. „And then the game is over,“ Brok warned.
The CDU politician pleaded for a postponement to a maximum of May 23, since Britain otherwise would have to participate in the election of the European Parliament. He would find this unbearable, Brok said. He also expressed his „deep frustration“ about the exit of the British. „There are only majorities against something, not something,“ criticized the EPP politician.
The British House of Commons decided on Thursday evening not to withdraw from the EU as planned on March 29, but only a few months later. To make this possible, all 27 EU countries must agree to the request. This should be discussed next week at the EU summit. Several European politicians, including Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD), have already made it clear that the government in London must provide plausible reasons for his request for a respite.
United Kingdom – British Parliament votes in favor of Brexit shift The lower house in London has voted to extend the deadline for withdrawal from the European Union. There will not be a second referendum. © Photo: Jessica Taylor / dpa
