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#Brexit - EU-27 reject May's proposal, but offer two alternative scenarios

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Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk

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Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk

Following this evenings (21 March) prolonged discussions on the UK's request for a three month extension to Article 50, President of the European Council Donald Tusk announced that the EU-27 agreed to two scenarios, writes Catherine Feore.

In the first scenario, if the UK adopts the Withdrawal Agreement next week, the EU-27 will then allow an extension to 22 May, allowing the UK to adopt enabling legislation.

In the second scenario, if the agreement is not agreed by the House of Commons next week, the EU-27 agreement will allow an extension until 12 April. At this point the UK will still have the choice, of a deal, no deal or revoking Article 50. 12 April was chosen as it is a key date in the UK for deciding whether or not to hold European Parliamentary elections. If the UK decides not to hold elections, then the option of a long extension will become impossible. Tusk did not set a limit for the extension in this scenario, but it is thought that it would be for six to nine months.

During the evening's negotiations, Tusk met personally with Prime Minister May to confirm her support for this proposal.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the EU-27 were united and unequivocal. He added that he EU-27 had worked tirelessly and welcomed that heads of government had adopted the so-called 'Strasbourg Agreement'.

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Juncker said that the EU-27 had done everything it could to get the deal over the finishing line. He said: “We were asked for clarifications in December and we gave them; we were asked for reassurances in January we gave them; we were asked for further reassurances in Strasbourg last week and we gave them.” Juncker added that this therefore closed the package agreed.

On 6 February Tusk controversially suggested that there would be a special place in hell for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan. Today, an EU Reporter journalist asked the President if those who rejected the current Withdrawal Agreement – which is the first part of a plan – would also need to join the Brexiteers.

Tusk replied that, according to the Pope, hell is still empty, so there is still a lot of space.

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