‘FLEXTENSION’

European Union Grants (Another) Brexit Extension to Jan. 31, 2020

European Union president described the new delay as a “flextension,” saying the U.K. could leave before the Jan. 31, 2020, deadline if it ratifies the deal.

European Union President Donald Tusk tweeted Monday that the bloc would be granting the U.K. a three-month “flextension” until Jan. 31, 2020, to carry out Brexit. It could leave before that time if a deal is approved by the British Parliament. The new extension comes against the background of heated debate in London, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries to win approval for a Dec. 12 general election. The U.K. was supposed to leave the EU on Thursday, but lawmakers forced the prime minister to ask for a delay to debate a deal he forged with the 27-member EU. Johnson had made a “do or die” pledge that Britain would leave on Halloween.