Donald Tusk floats 1-year Brexit ‘flextension’

European Council president raises the idea of long, flexible delay.

Britain can have another year to think on Brexit — provided it joins the European Parliament election next month, a senior EU official said.

European Council President Donald Tusk raised the idea after hours of meetings and consultations Thursday to plan for next week’s summit of EU leaders.

“The only reasonable way out would be a long but flexible extension,” the senior official quoted Tusk as saying. “I would call it a ‘flextension.’ How would it work in practice? We could give the U.K. a yearlong extension, automatically terminated once the Withdrawal Agreement has been accepted and ratified by the House of Commons.

“And even if this were not possible,” the official continued, quoting Tusk, “then the U.K. would still have enough time to rethink its Brexit strategy. Short extension if possible and a long one if necessary. It seems to be a good scenario for both sides, as it gives the U.K. all the necessary flexibility, while avoiding the need to meet every few weeks to further discuss Brexit extensions.”

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has reiterated in recent days that the deadline for the U.K.’s departure, as set by EU27 leaders, is April 12 unless the Withdrawal Agreement is ratified. If the U.K. ratifies the deal before next Wednesday’s summit, EU officials have said an extension would be granted at least until May 22.

It is still unclear whether all EU27 leaders will go along with Tusk’s “flextension” proposal without resistance, though it’s unlikely he would float the idea without some confidence. Still, French President Emmanuel Macron, in particular, has raised concerns about the U.K.’s departure process becoming a neverending drag on the EU and distracting the bloc from getting on with its regular business.

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told journalists on his way into the Eurogroup meeting in Bucharest: “We need to understand the extension. What for? If we are not able to understand the reason for why the U.K. is asking for an extension we can’t get a positive answer. It’s up the to the British government to give an answer to that key question.”

It is also not clear that Britain will be willing to participate in the European election. Prime Minister Theresa May has said repeatedly that she does not want to do so.

In many ways though, a longer extension could prove better for the U.K. than the transition period, which would have already begun had the U.K. left with a deal on its original March 29 departure date. That transition calls for the U.K. to remain obligated to all EU laws and rules even as it loses its voting rights and participation in all EU institutions. If the U.K. holds the election, it will continue to be represented.

Britain has so far failed to reach consensus on any Brexit plan that could win a majority in the House of Commons.

May, who offered to step down as prime minister if MPs supported her Brexit deal, has warned that a long extension could lead to an uncertain political process that could prevent the U.K. from ever leaving the EU. Tusk and some other EU leaders have made clear they would be happy for the U.K. to stay, but have stated consistently that only London can decide if a national election or second referendum will be held.

Bjarke Smith-Meyer contributed reporting.

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