The prime minister’s letter to the European council president, Donald Tusk, seeks an extension to article 50 until 30 June. It has already been challenged by a Brussels briefing arguing that the UK must choose between a delay lasting no longer than 23 May, and a longer delay that would involve British participation in European parliament elections.
What the short and long extensions mean for an eventual departure date
There are now three main scenarios for Britain’s departure: a no-deal exit by automatic operation of law on 29 March, if nothing between now and then stops it; a delayed exit in May or June on Theresa May’s terms, leading to a transition until December 2020; or an unknown outcome after a longer transition to allow the UK government and parliament to settle on another approach.
Why a short extension is logistically difficult
A short extension is fiendishly difficult to coordinate, as events in the UK, at the European commission and council in Brussels, and at the full sessions of the European parliament in Strasbourg need to be aligned if a deal is to be reached.
