Merkel favours extending Brexit deadline

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that she is in favour of extending Brexit deadline. Merkel told German lawmakers that a disorderly Brexit was not in their interest, and that the German Federal Government wants an orderly withdrawal from the EU.

Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she favours granting an extension of several months to the Brexit deadline.

Merkel told German lawmakers Wednesday that she will meet before the European Union summit later in the day with French President Emmanuel Macron, who has taken a hard line over recent weeks on Brexit.

Pressed on what kind of extension Germany backs, Merkel replied: "I favour, if there is a broad majority for this today, possibly making it a delay of several months - but not delaying anything, so that once Britain has decided the withdrawal can happen immediately."

Britain is currently scheduled to leave the EU on Friday, with or without a deal.

Prime Minister Theresa May has asked for a delay until June 30, and visited both Germany and France Tuesday to make her case.