EU gives UK short extension on Brexit deal

The European Union agreed Thursday to give the United Kingdom a brief extension to make a deal on Brexit.

The U.K. was scheduled to leave the union on March 29, but has yet to reach an agreement on an exit deal.

{mosads}Britain will now stay a member state until April 12 if the Parliament rejects Prime Minister Theresa May’s strategy, which it has already done twice.

If it approves an exit deal next week, the U.K. can leave the European Union on May 22.

European Council President Donald Tusk laid out the new timeline on Twitter. 

EU27 responds to UK requests in a positive spirit and:
agrees to Art. 50 extension until 22 May if Withdrawal Agreement approved next week
if not agreed next week then extension until 12 April
approves ‘Strasbourg Agreement’
continues no-deal preparations

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) March 21, 2019 

Under the scenario that the Parliament rejects May’s deal next week, the body will be able to seek a longer extension if it can both “indicate a way forward” and agree to hold European elections, according to The Guardian.