Likelihood of EU extending Brexit date 'looks good': EU president-elect

The likelihood of the EU extending the UK’s Brexit deadline “looks good”, after which Britain should put forward a candidate for the European Commission, its incoming president said on Thursday, even as British Prime Minister threatened to call a snap election before Christmas after losing a vote on his Brexit timetable.

“The question of granting an extension, that looks very good,” EU president-elect Ursula von der Leyen said.

EU member states on Wednesday backed a plan to postpone Brexit beyond October 31, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was compelled to send an extension request under a law passed by rebel MPs.