Germany says still time to negotiate on Brexit

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday regretted the British parliament decision to reject the Brexit agreement but said there was still time for negotiations.

“We still have time to negotiate, but we would first like to see what the British prime minister proposes,” she told reporters in Berlin.

The German chancellor underlined that Germany was still in favor of an “orderly” Brexit, but was also preparing itself for a disorderly withdrawal.

British prime minister Theresa May’s long-negotiated Brexit deal was rejected by lawmakers in a 432-202 vote on Tuesday evening,

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn submitted a motion of no-confidence in government, as the defeat was the greatest against a government since 1920s.

If the May government wins the vote Wednesday evening, the prime minister is expected to come back to the parliament on Monday to explain her Plan B.

Earlier on Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he was sceptical that the Brexit agreement can be re-negotiated, but said the EU might postpone the March 29, 2019 deadline for Britain’s exit from the bloc.

“If there would be such a request, we will deal with it in a very constructive way,” Maas said.