European leaders have agreed to the United Kingdom’s request for a three-month Brexit extension, averting a no-deal split later this week.
European Council President Donald Tusk said the “flextension” would be granted until Jan. 31. The extension could be cut short if Prime Minister Boris Johnson reaches a deal before January 2020.
The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK’s request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 28, 2019
It’s the third delay granted by Europe this year and still must be formalized.
Johnson previously said the U.K. would leave the European Union on Thursday, “no ifs, no buts,” and that he would rather be “dead in a ditch” than delay Brexit again.
Despite his opposition to an extension, Parliament forced Johnson to ask for one when he lost a key vote on an amendment earlier this month.
