This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
Published on October 23, 2019, EU leaders gathered in Brussels to discuss the impending Brexit deadline. Despite reaching a consensus on the need for an extension, they failed to agree on a specific date.
According to a European source, the meeting was not intended to make formal decisions, but rather to explore options for avoiding a no-deal Brexit. The ambassadors from the 27 non-British member states acknowledged the importance of an extension, but the duration of the delay remains a topic of discussion.
Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, has recommended that EU leaders approve a postponement of the Brexit date from October 31 to January 31, 2020. However, some capitals, including Paris, prefer a shorter extension to facilitate Prime Minister Boris Johnson's efforts to push a withdrawal agreement through the House of Commons.
The ambassadors plan to meet again on Friday, and in the meantime, President Tusk's consultations will continue. If an agreement cannot be reached, an emergency EU summit may be called for Monday.
