Germany welcomes May’s Brexit delay request

By Ayhan Simsek </p> <p>BERLIN (AA) – German government has welcomed Wednesday British Prime Minister Theresa May’s request for delaying Brexit until June 30. </p> <p>Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said the leaders of all other 27 EU member states will discuss May’s request during a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. </p> <p>“We welcome that there is a clear request now by the United Kingdom,” said Steffen Seibert, adding that this would provide the basis for intensive discussions among the leaders. </p> <p>“As you know, a decision on an extension requires the unanimous agreement,” he stressed.</p> <p>After British lawmakers rejected her Brexit deal twice, Theresa May announced on Wednesday that she wrote a letter to European leaders and requested delaying Brexit beyond the March 29 deadline.</p> <p>“As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30,” she told lawmakers at a weekly question session in the House of Commons.</p> <p>The new date for Brexit, if approved by all other 27 members of the EU, will see the U.K. avoid joining the European parliament elections due in May.</p> <p>British premier also said the government will hold another meaningful vote.</p> <p>U.K. voters decided to leave the union in a 2016 referendum.