EU ambassadors meet in Brussels over Brexit delay talks

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union ambassadors are meeting in Brussels Friday to discuss what kind of extension to the Brexit deadline they could propose to Britain.

There is a large consensus among the 27 ambassadors to delay Britain’s scheduled Oct. 31 departure from the bloc after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sealed a new deal with the EU, but they have yet to agree on the length of the extension. It remains unclear whether an announcement will be made before next week.

Under an amendment passed by British lawmakers, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to send a letter to the EU requesting an extension. If it is granted, Johnson plans to ask Parliament to approve an early national election to be held on Dec. 12. He says it’s the only way to break Britain’s Brexit impasse.

Reluctant at first to agree to another extension, France is now willing to accept a new delay. But French European Affairs minister Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio on Thursday night that France wants to see “a clear scenario” before taking a decision. She said: “Our position is that simply giving more time, without political change, without ratification, without an election, would be useless.”