United Kingdom and Gibraltar European Union membership referendum
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If necessary, ready for a buffer: Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and French President Emmanuel Macron are ready to postpone the Brexit at the request of Great Britain, if necessary, for a short time. However, the agreement between the EU and the UK will not be renegotiated.
"If Britain needs a little more time then we will not refuse," Merkel said at a meeting with the French President in Paris. At the same time, however, one fully agrees that the withdrawal agreement applies.
"Regret this step, but it is reality"
Merkel said she discussed this with British Prime Minister Theresa May on the sidelines of the EU summit with the Arab League in Egypt. Of course, we want an orderly exit of Great Britain from the EU. "We regret this step, but it's a reality, and we need to find a good solution now."
Macron said, "It's time for the British to make a decision." For an extension, there must be a clear perspective. "We agree that the agreement can not be renegotiated if the British need more time."
May had first admitted on Tuesday that Britain could leave the EU after March 29. She promised to have MEPs vote on a possible shift. Should it fail again by 12 March with their agreement, May wants to put the MPs before the election between an unregulated leaving or a "short extension".