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Last night (21 March 2019), the European Council agreed to offer the UK an extension until 22 May 2019, if the UK Parliament passes the "Meaningful Vote 3.0" in relation to the Withdrawal Agreement next week. If the vote fails once again, the UK will have until 12 April 2019 to approve the deal, otherwise it would need to choose between a "no deal" exit or longer extension with participation in the European Parliament elections.

The decision came in a response to the Prime Minister Theresa May's request to extend Article 50 until 30 June 2019.

The Prime Minister seems to have accepted this approach and is expected to hold "Meaningful Vote 3.0" next week. Provided that Number 10 follows with the statutory procedure to amend exit day in the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 before 29 March 2019, the risk of "no-deal" Brexit next Friday (29 March 2019) is eliminated.

In case the deal is defeated next week, that would give the UK Parliament time until 12 April 2019 to agree a way forward in relation to Brexit.

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