EU meets to decide final date for Brexit extension, no decision taken

The European Union met in London on October 25 to decide on a final date for the extension of Brexit and fix Britain's departure from the 28-nation-bloc amidst the talks over sudden elections. However, an EU official reportedly said that a decision could not be taken because of France being in support of a quick Brexit, unlike the other European leaders. Britain's Prime Minister has given up on the “do or die” deadline for Brexit of October 31 and has decided to provide the British Parliament for the extension they seek only if they agree for snap elections on December 12. 

Brexit delayed

PM Boris Johnson said, “now we face further uncertainty” after the Parliament voted 322 to 308 against his demand from UK lawmakers to take only three days in order to review the 110-page Withdrawl Agreement. Just ahead of the Parliament session, Boris Johnson had published a 110-page European bill along with 122-page explanatory notes. Even though the agreement was passed in the British Parliament with 329 to 299 votes, the lawmakers are still against the fast-track timetable proposed by the PM to make an orderly divorce from the EU by October 31. 

Read - France Wants Brexit To Happen, Not In Favour Of Another Extension

EU backs the delay

The European Union members made it crystal clear that they support the British Parliament's decision to ask for another Brexit delay after British Parliament reject the timetable. However, reportedly, a European source said that it is unsure what date the leaders will decide in order to extend  Brexit deadline. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk said that on a phone call with PM Johnson he has justified his reasons to back the delay for Britain's exit. 

Read - EU Ambassadors Meet In Brussels Over Brexit Delay Talks

PM Johnson seek general elections

Boris Johnson said that he will give more time to the members of the Parliament for more discussion on the European Union Withdrawl Bill, only if they agree to general elections on December 12. This also means that after years of struggle, PM Johnson has finally abandoned his wish to get Brexit done by October 31, with or without a deal.  The UK leader wrote to the Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn saying that he will give the British Parliament one last chance to scrutinize his withdrawal bill by November 6 under the Fixed-term Parliament Act on October 29 and ask for an early general election. 

Read - For Businesses, Brexit Is Happening Already

France worries

French President Emmanuel Macron is favouring a quick Brexit. The British parliament had accepted Prime Minister Boris Johnson's European Union Withdrawl Bill on October 22. However, they also voted against the fast track timetable which according to the lawmakers, did not give them adequate time to scrutinize the bill. The request for a delay by the parliament was also received by the European leaders, who are willing to give a three-month delay or a Brexit in two stages, except France. 

Read - UK: Boris Johnson Seeks December 12 Election 'to Get Brexit Done'

(With agency inputs)