EU agrees to short Brexit extension

European leaders late Thursday granted British Prime Minister Theresa May a few more weeks to work out a plan for transitioning her country out of the European Union. The EU said May can present her exit deal to the British Parliament for a third time next week. If the lawmakers reject it again, she has until April 12 to “indicate a way forward.” If Parliament approves her deal, then the country can delay its departure from the bloc until May 22. European elections are set to begin on May 23, and the bloc has insisted that Britain must participate in the elections if it is still in the union at that time.

May welcomed the delay, saying it shows “the importance of the House of Commons passing a Brexit deal next week so that we can bring an end to the uncertainty and leave in a smooth and orderly manner.” If the vote fails, Britain would either leave without a deal or present an alternative plan that includes participation in the elections, May added.

“British politicians are incapable of implementing what the people asked them,” French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters after the meeting. “In no way must [the EU] become stuck in this situation, so that is why we have given two deadlines.”