EU agrees ‘in principle’ to Brexit deadline extension

London: The 27 EU heads of state and government will allow a flexible extension to Brexit until 31 January, European Council President Donald Tusk revealed on Monday.

The so-called "flextension" will mean that the UK can leave before that date if they manage to agree a deal in Parliament.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson sent the request for a delay, albeit reluctantly and unsigned, last weekend as the result of legislation that effectively forced his hand.

Though the decision still has to be formally confirmed by letter, the former Polish prime minister tweeted that the 27 member states were in agreement. "The EU27 has agreed that it will accept the UK's request for a #Brexit flextension until 31 January 2020. The decision is expected to be formalised through a written procedure.”

The so-called 'flextension' is shorthand for flexible extension.

The details from Monday's developments include:
• If British lawmakers approve the withdrawal agreement sooner, the UK could leave the bloc before the end of January.

• The EU is not open to renegotiating the current deal in place, agreed by Boris Johnson and the bloc earlier this month.

• Formal approval of the extension is anticipated in the next 48 hours.

• Member states are expected to demand Britain nominates an EU commissioner.

Tusk's social media post came as EU diplomats met in Brussels. Upon leaving the discussions, which lasted for 30 minutes, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said "it was a very short and efficient and constructive meeting and I am happy the decision has been taken.”

This is the third delay since the UK invoked Article 50 in March 2017, beginning what should have been a two-year exit process.

Boris Johnson, who had previously said he would rather be "dead in a ditch" than ask for an extension, will now try to "get Brexit done" via a snap election on 12 December. He hopes that a new parliament will endorse the withdrawal agreement he negotiated with the EU. British lawmakers are set to vote on whether to hold an election later Monday.