EU gives tentative OK to Brexit deadline extension -- with conditions

March 20 (UPI) -- EU Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday agreed to give Britain an extension to its Brexit deadline but only if the British Parliament agrees on a deal next week.

Tusk said he's confident all 27 member countries of the European Union would agree to the delay, though he did not say what the new deadline would be.

"Even if the hope for a final success may seem frail, even illusory, and although Brexit fatigue is increasingly visible and justified, we cannot give up seeking -- until the very last moment -- a positive solution, of course without opening up the Withdrawal Agreement," Tusk said. "We have reacted with patience and goodwill to numerous turns of events, and I am confident that, also now, we will not lack the same patience and goodwill, at this most critical point in this process."

British Prime Minister Theresa May asked the European Union for a three-month delay to the Brexit deadline, giving Parliament more time to debate the country's planned departure. The country has until March 29 to depart the EU, but May asked for a new deadline of June 30.

May informed the House of Commons of her request Wednesday, saying a longer delay would mean that legislators were turning their back on the will of voters who supported Brexit in 2016.

In the letter addressed to Tusk, May said the extra time was needed to get her Brexit deal through Parliament. She said she plans to bring the bill up again for a vote despite efforts in Parliament to prevent a third vote unless substantial changes are made.

British House Speaker John Bercow blocked May from asking members of Parliament to hold another vote on her Brexit deal this week.

"If that [delay] vote is passed, the extension will give the house time to consider the withdrawal agreement bill," May told the House of Commons. "If not, the house will have to decide how to proceed. But as prime minister I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than 30 June."

May laid blame at lawmakers for the impasse after the House of Commons voted soundly against her agreement she negotiated with the EU. Lawmakers, in turn, said that May has exhibited poor leadership and presented them a flawed bill that they cannot agree to. The planned deadline for Brexit is March 29.