Tusk: delaying Brexit would be ‘rational’

European Council President Donald Tusk said that it would be “rational” for the March 29 Brexit date to be extended.

“I believe in the situation we are in an extension would be a rational solution,” he said, adding that there is currently no majority in the British Parliament to approve a deal that is currently on the table. “The less time there is until 29 March the greater the likelihood of an extension. This is an objective fact, not our intention, not our plan but an objective fact,” he added.

He discussed the issue with PM Theresa May at an EU summit with Arab leaders in Egypt. However, according to Tusk, May’s plan is to avoid the extension. “Any extension of Article 50 isn’t addressing the issues. We have it within our grasp,” she said.

Furthermore, UK’s Labour Party said it would back a second public vote if the House of Commons rejects its alternative withdrawal plan later this week. Its leader Jeremy Corbyn said that his party “will do everything in our power” to prevent Britain leaving the EU without a deal on the withdrawal terms and future relations with the remaining 27 members.