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AFP
MEPs voted 412 to 202 to have Prime Minister Theresa May ask the EU to delay Brexit.
This means that the United Kingdom can not leave on March 29 as previously planned.
May said Brexit could be delayed for three months, until June 30, if MPs backed its withdrawal agreement in a vote next week.
If they refuse her contract again, she will ask for a longer extension, but any delay will have to be accepted by the 27 other EU Member States.
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A spokesman for the European Commission said that the extension of Article 50, the UK's elimination mechanism on March 29, would require a "unanimous agreement" of all states.
And it would be up to the leaders of these states "to consider this request by giving priority to the need to ensure the functioning of the EU institutions and taking into account the reasons why a possible extension is necessary".
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker was "in constant contact with all the leaders", added the spokesman.
Theresa May has long insisted that the UK leave the EU on March 29 with or without a withdrawal agreement.
But it was forced to propose to the deputies a vote on the postponement of Brexit after having rejected for the second time its agreement of withdrawal, then voted against a Brexit without compromise.
She warned that extending the date of departure beyond three months could undermine confidence in democracy – and mean that the UK should participate in the May European Parliament elections.
Some ministers said it was still possible for the UK to leave on March 29 – and others voted against a delay.
Well … an obvious victory which means that it is unlikely that the No. 10 could stick to the promise that he has long made to leave the European Union at the end of the current month – BUT ….
– Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) March 14, 2019
End of @bbclaurak's post Twitter
Several ministers voted in a different way than the Prime Minister. Fox, Williamson and Barclay have suggested, even though the voting lists have not yet been sent AND the office of the bads too!
– Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) March 14, 2019
End of @bbclaurak's post Twitter 2
Secretary General of the Treasury, Liz Truss, tweeted: "I voted against a delay in Brexit.As a delay was pbaded by Parliament, I wish that an agreement be concluded as soon as possible, so that we can minimize delays, technical and prolonged. "
Health Secretary Matthew Hanbad said it would be "extremely difficult" but "that it is still possible to deliver Brexit on March 29 with an agreement".
He said that there were now two options: "vote for the agreement and leave in an orderly manner or in a long time and I think it would be a disaster".
MEPs had previously rejected by 334 votes to 85 any attempt to get another referendum on Brexit.
And they also rejected a multi-party plan, which would allow MPs to take control of the Brexit process and hold a series of votes on the next steps, with a narrow margin of two votes.
After the vote, Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn reiterated his support for a new referendum after having previously ordered his deputies not to vote for one.
"Today, I reiterate my belief that it is possible to reach an agreement on the basis of our alternative plan, which can be supported by the entire House.
"I also reiterate our support for a popular vote – not as a political scoring exercise, but as a realistic option to break the stalemate."
The Labor Party abstained when MPs voted on the referendum proposal tabled by independent group MP Sarah Wollaston, saying it was not the right time to lobby for a public vote.
The Labor Party's plan to postpone the Brexit to allow MEPs the time to "find a majority for a different approach" was rejected by 318 votes to 302.
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