European leaders allow short reprieve for Brexit

BRUSSELS - European leaders on Thursday seized control of Britain’s departure from the European Union, sparing British Prime Minister Theresa May the economic earthquake of an uncontrolled split from the European Union next week but demanding that she pass a deal or come up with an alternative by April 12.

  
The decision was a harsh verdict on May’s political acumen. Nearly two hours of withering cross-examination led her fellow leaders to believe she had no political strategy to pass a divorce deal nor knew how Britain would weather an uncontrolled Brexit next week.  

May had promised the British people that Brexit would help them take back control from Europe. Instead, she found that her 27 fellow EU leaders took back decision-making from her, dictating a political calendar for the coming weeks that gives both sides a time to prepare for the worst-case scenario.  

If British lawmakers approve a divorce deal they have twice rejected, they can leave the European Union on May 22. If they reject it, they must plan an alternative by April 12 or fall off the same no-deal cliff that evening.  

Either way, the decisions will be forced earlier than the three-month delay May was seeking in Brussels.  

May told reporters that she was satisfied with the extension. She said it was now “very clear” what the options and deadlines are for British lawmakers. 

A1Adds summit details and comment from May and European leaders(c) 2019, The Washington Post · Michael Birnbaum, William Booth, Quintin Aries · WORLD, EUROPE · 
Mar 22, 2019