EU 27 Backed Longer Delay Despite Macron's Proposal To Postpone Brexit Until May 7- Source

The leaders of all EU member states besides the United Kingdom opted to delay Brexit until May 22, despite French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting that London only be allowed to postpone its withdrawal from the European Union until May 7, a diplomatic source in Brussels told Sputnik on Friday

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd March, 2019) The leaders of all EU member states besides the United Kingdom opted to delay Brexit until May 22, despite French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting that London only be allowed to postpone its withdrawal from the European Union until May 7, a diplomatic source in Brussels told Sputnik on Friday.

Macron, whose stance on Brexit is by far one of the toughest among EU leaders, threatened in late February to block any extension of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty if UK Prime Minister Theresa May failed to ensure a positive vote on the withdrawal deal in the UK parliament.

"I have information that Macron's suggestion to delay Brexit until May 7 was not supported.

EU leaders approved the option that European Council President Donald Tusk put forward to give London a delay until May 22," the source said.

UK lawmakers have repeatedly rejected the Brexit deal agreed between London and Brussels. At the same time, they have also ruled out a no-deal Brexit. May asked the European Union earlier in the week to delay the deadline until June 30, while EU leaders agreed on Thursday to extend the withdrawal deadline until May 22, given that the UK lawmakers approve the deal the next week. If the lawmakers choose not to back the deal, the deadline will be extended until April 12.