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Brexit: France and Germany split as EU leaders debate length of further article 50 extension - live news Brexit: France and Germany split as EU leaders debate length of further article 50 extension - live news
(32 minutes later)
The EU27 have now dismissed Theresa May from the room and they are now engaged in the debate at the centre of this summit - how to respond to Theresa May’s request for an article 50 extension.
We have not heard any detailed account of what May said to the EU27 when she made the case for a Brexit delay until 30 June (her preference), and we do not know what is being said in the room. But some things have emerged from the interviews given by leaders as they arrived at the summit.
This is what we know.
The EU27 have a genuine choice to make about how long the extension should be, and there is no consensus. At some EU summits the conclusions are pre-cooked, but tonight there seem to be a wide range of views around the table. In his letter to leaders sent yesterday, Donald Tusk, the president of the European council, proposed a longer extension than the one requested by May and said: “One possibility would be a flexible extension, which would last only as long as necessary and no longer than one year.” In a draft of the summit conclusions leaked yesterday the end date is given as XX.XX.XXXX. Andrej Babis, the Czech prime minister, told reporters as he arrived that a year-long extension would be “fine”. Mateusz Morawiecki, his Polish counterpart, said he supported possibly a “long extension” because of the dangers of a no-deal Brexit. And Giuseppe Conte, the Italian PM, said “obviously” the extension would have to last more than a couple of months. But Sebastian Kurz, the Austrian chancellor, said he and Emmanuel Macron, the French president, favoured a short extension. And Marjan Sarec, the Slovenian prime minister, told Politico Europe, which is running a very good summit live blog, that an extension until December would be “a little bit long”. As my colleague Daniel Boffey reports (see 7.45pm), a key division is between Macron and Angela Merkel, the two most powerful leaders in the EU27, who are at loggerheads over this issue.
There seems to be no real risk of anyone vetoing an article 50 extension. Macron said that “nothing was guaranteed” as he arrived, but he did not seem to be seriously preparing the ground for doing a de Gaulle (de Gaulle engineered his own version of no-deal, when he twice vetoed the UK joining the EEC) and no leader interviewed on the way in seemed to think there was any real prospect of the UK being forced out on Friday.
EU leaders were supportive of Tusk proposal, in his letter yesterday, for a longer extension to be accompanied by conditions on the UK. For the record, Tusk said:
Some of you have raised concerns that the UK’s continued presence as a departing EU country would pose risks for the functioning of the EU27 at a time of key decisions on its future. To address them we would need to agree on a number of conditions: no re-opening of the withdrawal agreement; no start of the negotiations on the future, except for the political declaration; the UK would have to maintain its sincere cooperation also during this crucial period, in a manner that reflects its situation as a departing member state.
These conditions are reflected in the draft summit conclusions leaked yesterday.
May seems resigned to not being offered the extension until 30 June that she is requesting. But she downplayed the embarrassment of this likely snub by stressing, as she arrived, that her priority was to get the “flexible extension” proposed by Tusk that would allow the UK to leave as soon as the withdrawal agreement is passed. She still seems to think that the UK will be able to use this option to leave before 22 May (which would enable the government to cancel the European elections in the UK).
May is sidestepping questions about whether she would resign if the UK ended up remaining in the EU beyond 30 June. (See 3.45pm.) This is an issue for her because she told MPs recently that as prime minister she was not willing to delay Brexit beyond 30 June. (See 4.02pm.) She did tell MPs recently that she was not planning to remain in office for the next stage of the Brexit talks, but that offer to quit was predicated on the basis that MPs would pass her deal, which they have not, and now it is not clear at all how long she will seek to stay in Number 10. On Radio 5 Live earlier today David Gauke, the justice secretary, said he thought May could stay as prime minister for another year. He explained:
She has said that if we can get through phase one and that we leave the EU, she has made it clear that she will then leave as leader of the Conservative party and the PM, and be replaced by someone who would then negotiate phase two.
If we can’t get phase one dealt with, then if we are still in middle of negotiations, if there is still considerable uncertainty, then ... it may well be the case that the last thing we need as a country is a leadership election at that point, and the right thing would be for Theresa as prime minister to continue to get this process done.
Antonio Tajani, the president of the European parliament, has dismissed the idea that it would be acceptable for the UK to elect MEPs (if it is still a member of the EU on 23 May) but for them to not take up their seats (if the UK leaves before the end of June, before the new parliament has met). (See 6.37pm.) This is problematic because May does seem to believe that this is an option.
Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, has said that he would like the UK to stay in a customs union with the EU and that, in those circumstances, it should be given a role in deciding EU trade policy. (See 5.26pm.)
Here are the EU leaders around the summit table.
This is from the Telegraph’s James Crisp.
Theresa May has left the summit building for dinner. She is expected to return later.
France and Germany are understood to be at loggerheads over both the length of the extension and the conditions that the EU should put on a delay to Brexit.France and Germany are understood to be at loggerheads over both the length of the extension and the conditions that the EU should put on a delay to Brexit.
The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is arguing that a short extension to 30 June is unlikely to provide enough time for the impasse in Westminster to be broken, and Berlin is seeking an extension until 31 December.The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, is arguing that a short extension to 30 June is unlikely to provide enough time for the impasse in Westminster to be broken, and Berlin is seeking an extension until 31 December.
Germany believes that the biggest incentive for Conservative MPs to back the Brexit deal is the threat of holding European elections.Germany believes that the biggest incentive for Conservative MPs to back the Brexit deal is the threat of holding European elections.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, is understood to looking at a very short extension, possibly up until before the European elections, sources have said. There could be a further extension if the UK signs up to stringent conditions, Macron has said. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, is understood to looking at a very short extension, possibly up until immediately before the European elections, sources have said. There could be a further extension if the UK signs up to stringent conditions, Macron has said.
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has the iPad scoop. (See 6.22pm.)The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has the iPad scoop. (See 6.22pm.)
IPAD NEWS! the gag was apparently a side by side pic of May and Merkel taking questions in their own parliaments this afternoon, wearing the same colour of jacket..... #brexitbantz, kind ofIPAD NEWS! the gag was apparently a side by side pic of May and Merkel taking questions in their own parliaments this afternoon, wearing the same colour of jacket..... #brexitbantz, kind of
Theresa May has now finished making her pitch to her fellow EU leaders.Theresa May has now finished making her pitch to her fellow EU leaders.
Now she is out of the room, and the EU27 are deciding what to do next.Now she is out of the room, and the EU27 are deciding what to do next.
This is the key meeting of the evening.This is the key meeting of the evening.
Q&A session with PM @theresa_may finished. Next: EU27 discussion on #Brexit.Q&A session with PM @theresa_may finished. Next: EU27 discussion on #Brexit.
This is from BuzzFeed’s Europe editor, Alberto Nardelli.This is from BuzzFeed’s Europe editor, Alberto Nardelli.
EUCO: I’m told PM May’s intervention is so far more solid than usual, though not many specifics. Sense is that May is open to a longer extension, as long as it can be terminated early, source says. Leaders have many questions.EUCO: I’m told PM May’s intervention is so far more solid than usual, though not many specifics. Sense is that May is open to a longer extension, as long as it can be terminated early, source says. Leaders have many questions.
At his press conference Antonio Tajani, the president of the European parliament, made it clear that he was not happy about the idea of the UK electing MEPs on 23 May, only for them to not take their seats in the parliament if Brexit took place before 30 June. Theresa May seems to think this would be possible, but Tajani said he disagreed. These are from the Sun’s Nick Gutteridge.At his press conference Antonio Tajani, the president of the European parliament, made it clear that he was not happy about the idea of the UK electing MEPs on 23 May, only for them to not take their seats in the parliament if Brexit took place before 30 June. Theresa May seems to think this would be possible, but Tajani said he disagreed. These are from the Sun’s Nick Gutteridge.
EP Pres Tajani: ‘We’re not going to be taken for granted. Electing MEPs and then them not taking up their posts, please, that’s not possible. We’ll fight any action that hinders the image of our institution.’ Says he’s ‘fine’ with Boris Johnson’s dad standing in EU elections.EP Pres Tajani: ‘We’re not going to be taken for granted. Electing MEPs and then them not taking up their posts, please, that’s not possible. We’ll fight any action that hinders the image of our institution.’ Says he’s ‘fine’ with Boris Johnson’s dad standing in EU elections.
So if UK decides to hold elections on May 23 then leave before June 30, as is the PM’s plan, the EP is going to be very unhappy indeed...Tajani was basically saying such a scenario would make a mockery of his institution.So if UK decides to hold elections on May 23 then leave before June 30, as is the PM’s plan, the EP is going to be very unhappy indeed...Tajani was basically saying such a scenario would make a mockery of his institution.
Here is the iPad clip. (See 6.22pm.)Here is the iPad clip. (See 6.22pm.)
The tablet. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/EXlf1UM6FtThe tablet. #EUCO pic.twitter.com/EXlf1UM6Ft
Here is footage of the EU leaders milling around at the start of the meeting.Here is footage of the EU leaders milling around at the start of the meeting.
Roundtable at today's Special #EuropeanCouncil #Article50 https://t.co/B1ApsLLBIRRoundtable at today's Special #EuropeanCouncil #Article50 https://t.co/B1ApsLLBIR
The highlight came when Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, showed Theresa May something on her iPad. May responded with a burst of laughter.The highlight came when Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, showed Theresa May something on her iPad. May responded with a burst of laughter.
Sadly, the EU does not provide audio with this footage, so we don’t know what the joke was.Sadly, the EU does not provide audio with this footage, so we don’t know what the joke was.
Here is Theresa May sitting alongside Donald Tusk at the European council meeting.Here is Theresa May sitting alongside Donald Tusk at the European council meeting.
#euco #brexit pic.twitter.com/OhHowz1RNi#euco #brexit pic.twitter.com/OhHowz1RNi
Antonio Tajani, the president of the European parliament, is now holding a press briefing after his session with the EU leaders. (See 5.37pm.)Antonio Tajani, the president of the European parliament, is now holding a press briefing after his session with the EU leaders. (See 5.37pm.)
He says he has eight points.He says he has eight points.
First, it is important to end the uncertainty around Brexit, he says.First, it is important to end the uncertainty around Brexit, he says.
Second, he said a no-deal Brexit could be avoided at all costs.Second, he said a no-deal Brexit could be avoided at all costs.
Third, he says the parliament wants to see an agreement between the government and the opposition in London as soon as possible.Third, he says the parliament wants to see an agreement between the government and the opposition in London as soon as possible.
Fourth, he says he wants greater clarity about the UK’s future relationship with the EU.Fourth, he says he wants greater clarity about the UK’s future relationship with the EU.
Fifth, he says the parliament wants more clarity about what is being negotiated in London, and it wants to know if there will be a clear majority of a way ahead.Fifth, he says the parliament wants more clarity about what is being negotiated in London, and it wants to know if there will be a clear majority of a way ahead.
Sixth, he says the parliament wants to know the UK will do if no agreement is reached. Will there be a referendum or a general election, or will article 50 be revoked?Sixth, he says the parliament wants to know the UK will do if no agreement is reached. Will there be a referendum or a general election, or will article 50 be revoked?
Seventh, he says an extension must not be allowed to reopen the withdrawal agreement.Seventh, he says an extension must not be allowed to reopen the withdrawal agreement.
Eighth, he says if the UK remains in the EU beyond the European elections, it must take part in those election. But the elections should not be viewed as a game, he says.Eighth, he says if the UK remains in the EU beyond the European elections, it must take part in those election. But the elections should not be viewed as a game, he says.
He says these are the points he made when he addressed EU leaders earlier.He says these are the points he made when he addressed EU leaders earlier.
He says, asked what would happen to British MEPs after Brexit, he said they would not be able to stay in the parliament.He says, asked what would happen to British MEPs after Brexit, he said they would not be able to stay in the parliament.
The session with the president of the European parliament, Antonio Tajani, is over. Now the European council is starting its session with Theresa May, who will formally make her request for an article 50 extension lasting until 30 June.The session with the president of the European parliament, Antonio Tajani, is over. Now the European council is starting its session with Theresa May, who will formally make her request for an article 50 extension lasting until 30 June.
She set out her case in the letter she sent to Donald Tusk, the council president, last week.She set out her case in the letter she sent to Donald Tusk, the council president, last week.
Exchange with @EP_President finished. Next: PM @theresa_may will exchange views with EU27 leaders. #brexit #eucoExchange with @EP_President finished. Next: PM @theresa_may will exchange views with EU27 leaders. #brexit #euco
Here is the Guardian’s story from the opening of the summit.Here is the Guardian’s story from the opening of the summit.
May signals she would accept EU offer of longer Brexit delayMay signals she would accept EU offer of longer Brexit delay
Here is a clip of Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, speaking to the media when he arrived earlier. He said any article 50 extension would have to be “useful” and “serve a purpose”.Here is a clip of Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, speaking to the media when he arrived earlier. He said any article 50 extension would have to be “useful” and “serve a purpose”.
Any extension has to be useful and serve a purpose. Our common purpose is to get the ratification of the withdrawal agreement.Any extension has to be useful and serve a purpose. Our common purpose is to get the ratification of the withdrawal agreement.
This withdrawal agreement is the only was to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK which is our common purpose.This withdrawal agreement is the only was to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the UK which is our common purpose.
As he arrives at the EU summit, Michel Barnier says "any extension has to be useful and serve a purpose"Get live updates as Theresa May asks EU leaders to delay Brexit until 30 June https://t.co/1qEIEYOoan pic.twitter.com/Z5VZa1WTNWAs he arrives at the EU summit, Michel Barnier says "any extension has to be useful and serve a purpose"Get live updates as Theresa May asks EU leaders to delay Brexit until 30 June https://t.co/1qEIEYOoan pic.twitter.com/Z5VZa1WTNW
This is from Preben Aamann, Donald Tusk’s spokesman. EU leaders have just started the first item on the summit agenda - a meeting with Antonio Tajani, president of the European parliament.This is from Preben Aamann, Donald Tusk’s spokesman. EU leaders have just started the first item on the summit agenda - a meeting with Antonio Tajani, president of the European parliament.
Tusk has just started the special #euco on #Brexit. First an exchange of views with @EP_President Tajani.Tusk has just started the special #euco on #Brexit. First an exchange of views with @EP_President Tajani.
Xavier Bettel, the prime minister of Luxembourg, proposed “an intelligent extension” as he arrived at the summit. Asked what length extension he favoured, he said:Xavier Bettel, the prime minister of Luxembourg, proposed “an intelligent extension” as he arrived at the summit. Asked what length extension he favoured, he said:
I would support an intelligent extension. If it’s long or short, the main point for me is that we have European elections. You can’t be a member and have no elections ...I would support an intelligent extension. If it’s long or short, the main point for me is that we have European elections. You can’t be a member and have no elections ...
If there is a longer extension, there is no lunch for free. So we need to know why, the reason they need a longer extension.If there is a longer extension, there is no lunch for free. So we need to know why, the reason they need a longer extension.
He also said that he hoped Brexit would be a “friendly divorce”.He also said that he hoped Brexit would be a “friendly divorce”.
Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, was more reflective than most of the other EU leaders when he spoke to reporters on the way in. Here are the main points he made.Leo Varadkar, the Irish prime minister, was more reflective than most of the other EU leaders when he spoke to reporters on the way in. Here are the main points he made.
Varadkar said he was “very confident” that the UK would be offered another extension and that there would not be a no-deal this Friday. But what he did not know was how long the extension would last, or what conditions would be attached.Varadkar said he was “very confident” that the UK would be offered another extension and that there would not be a no-deal this Friday. But what he did not know was how long the extension would last, or what conditions would be attached.
He said the “vast majority” of people in the EU were sympathetic to Britain’s plight. He said:He said the “vast majority” of people in the EU were sympathetic to Britain’s plight. He said:
I think the vast majority of people here in the European Union appreciate that the United Kingdom is in a difficult position. It does not want to leave without a deal at the moment, it doesn’t want to vote for the deal and of course a lot of people, maybe even half the population, don’t want to leave at all. So I believe the consensus here in Brussels, and across the European Union, will be to give the United Kingdom a little bit more time for the cross-party talks that are happening to conclude. And we can review the situation then in a few months’ time.I think the vast majority of people here in the European Union appreciate that the United Kingdom is in a difficult position. It does not want to leave without a deal at the moment, it doesn’t want to vote for the deal and of course a lot of people, maybe even half the population, don’t want to leave at all. So I believe the consensus here in Brussels, and across the European Union, will be to give the United Kingdom a little bit more time for the cross-party talks that are happening to conclude. And we can review the situation then in a few months’ time.
He said he wanted to see the UK in a customs union with the EU, and that the EU should agree to let the UK have a say when it negotiates trade deals. He explained:He said he wanted to see the UK in a customs union with the EU, and that the EU should agree to let the UK have a say when it negotiates trade deals. He explained:
One thing I would like to be considered, and I know it is under consideration, is the possibility of a customs union being formed between the United Kingdom and the EU. Ultimately the European Union, we are the biggest trading bloc in the world. We trade more than China. We’ve a bigger population than the US. And, in a world of big blocs, it’s in the interests of the UK to be part of one of those blocs. It is also in our interests to have the UK in our bloc. I think we would be generous negotiating that, understanding that the UK could not be a silent partner in such an arrangement. It would have to have a say in decisions being made.One thing I would like to be considered, and I know it is under consideration, is the possibility of a customs union being formed between the United Kingdom and the EU. Ultimately the European Union, we are the biggest trading bloc in the world. We trade more than China. We’ve a bigger population than the US. And, in a world of big blocs, it’s in the interests of the UK to be part of one of those blocs. It is also in our interests to have the UK in our bloc. I think we would be generous negotiating that, understanding that the UK could not be a silent partner in such an arrangement. It would have to have a say in decisions being made.
Because of the shared border, Ireland would benefit more than any other EU economy from having the UK in the customs union, and so Varadkar’s support for the idea is not surprising. But this may be the first time he has floated the idea of the UK being able to have a say over EU trade policy as a third country. This is something that the Labour party is also proposing, as part of its customs union plan, but until now it has generally been seen as an unrealistic demand in Brussels.Because of the shared border, Ireland would benefit more than any other EU economy from having the UK in the customs union, and so Varadkar’s support for the idea is not surprising. But this may be the first time he has floated the idea of the UK being able to have a say over EU trade policy as a third country. This is something that the Labour party is also proposing, as part of its customs union plan, but until now it has generally been seen as an unrealistic demand in Brussels.
Varadkar said Britain’s adversarial political system was part of the problem. He said that he understood Theresa May’s difficulties, because he does not have a majority in parliament either. He went on:Varadkar said Britain’s adversarial political system was part of the problem. He said that he understood Theresa May’s difficulties, because he does not have a majority in parliament either. He went on:
Perhaps other countries in Europe, including Ireland, have more of a tradition of political parties working together and compromising. The British approach to politics is much more adversarial. I’m not sure, on balance, that’s actually in the UK’s longterm interests.Perhaps other countries in Europe, including Ireland, have more of a tradition of political parties working together and compromising. The British approach to politics is much more adversarial. I’m not sure, on balance, that’s actually in the UK’s longterm interests.
Here are some extracts from what Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said as she arrived at the summit.Here are some extracts from what Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, said as she arrived at the summit.
Merkel bei EU-Gipfel in Brüssel: "Wir sollten offen und konstruktiv mit der Bitte der britischen Premierministerin um Verlängerung umgehen. Ein geordnetes Ausscheiden Großbritanniens aus der EU ist auch in unserem Interesse." #BrexitMerkel bei EU-Gipfel in Brüssel: "Wir sollten offen und konstruktiv mit der Bitte der britischen Premierministerin um Verlängerung umgehen. Ein geordnetes Ausscheiden Großbritanniens aus der EU ist auch in unserem Interesse." #Brexit
Anyone wondering what Merkel said: "We should be open and constructive with the British Prime minister's Request for An extension. An orderly Withdrawal of Britain from the EU is also in our Interest. " #Brexit https://t.co/5awVIPzWOQAnyone wondering what Merkel said: "We should be open and constructive with the British Prime minister's Request for An extension. An orderly Withdrawal of Britain from the EU is also in our Interest. " #Brexit https://t.co/5awVIPzWOQ