The European Union has decided to extend Brexit until 31 October with a revision in June

After six hours of tense discussions, the 27 British partners have agreed Thursday to extend the Brexit until Oct. 31, an extension that British Prime Minister Theresa May still has to accept.

"The EU at 27 has accepted an extension (…) I will now meet with the Prime Minister, Theresa May, for the agreement of the British Government"The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, tweeted.

May, faced with the reluctance of the most eurosceptic wing of his conservative party, had asked for a further extension, until June 30, to try to clear a majority in favor of the divorce agreement with the Labor opposition.

"I want us to be able to leave in an orderly and smooth way as soon as possible, that's why I'm going to work"badured the British leader before defending her claim for an hour in front of some 27 exasperated counterparts.

Although diplomatic sources described his speech as "useful and solid", the mistrust of his peers in the face of political chaos in his country made them propose a longer extension, until October 31, but with nuances.

After hours of talks during which the French president, Emmanuel Macron, asked for a minor extension, the 27 have agreed to "review" the commitments at its summit of 20 and 21 June, explained a European source.

The President of the European Council had proposed a "flexible extension" of "no more than a year" to allow the UK to leave the bloc when both parties have ratified the divorce agreement, even if it happens earlier.

After the British parliament rejected the divorce agreement three times, the Europeans were skeptical that May would approve it on June 30, and in turn wished to avoid other highs in the world. ;emergency.

The October 31st solution seems like an intermediate optionafter many heads of state pleaded for an extension until December 31, others for a postponement from June 30 to the end of the year and others for October.

The day is not trivial. The Europeans have set the new date for Brexit on the eve of the next European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, which will take office after the elections to the European Parliament from 23 to 26 May.

"The aim is that the European institutions can go forward and that the Brexit has the least effect on its functioning," said a French government source, explaining that Belgium, Luxembourg Spain and Malta supported his position.

The European Union (EU) is worried about the smooth operation of the bloc if the United Kingdom remains a member after 1 July, when the new European Parliament came out of the May elections.

The dates discussed are related to the next key appointments of an EU that will change the cycle with the elections to the European Parliament and the arrival of a new European Commission, in principle on 1 November.

One of the red lines is therefore that if the British continue to be members after May 22, they must participate in the European elections, which the "Prime Minister" wants to avoid, although he has already launched the preparations.

One of the European sources explained that "the UK will participate in the European elections if it continues to be a member [del bloque] May 22nd. "

To stay a long time, Europeans want the United Kingdom to "fair cooperation" as a country that leaves and does not oppose the adoption of key European projects, such as the bloc's budget for 2021- 2027.

Nearly three years after 52% of Britons voted in favor of leaving the EU, the UK continues to seek the way out in June 2016, after more than four decades of membership in the United Kingdom. European project.

The European negotiator, Michel Barnier, will meet on Thursday the leader of the North Irish Unionist party, Arlene Foster, who will explain to the French the reasons for their opposition to the divorce agreement.

And, after the summit, the Conservative Prime Minister must resume unsuccessful talks with the Labor opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, in hopes of getting the divorce agreement signed.