European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas once again told a regular news briefing that there is no request for Article 50 extension from the UK yet. But he pointed out that if the UK is going to leave after July 2, Britons will need to elect their representatives to the next European Parliament.

He said, “We … as the guardian of EU treaties, suggest caution with any suggestion that the right of EU citizens to vote in the European Parliament elections, according to the rules that are applicable, could be called into question”.

And, “we have a legally composed European Parliament which requires directly elected MEPs from all member states at the latest on the first day of the new term of the new parliament, which this time is the second of July.”

UK Prime Minister May is working on an alternative Brexit deal to bring back to the EU. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said if UK wants a “more ambitious relationship, we are open”. But he doesn’t expect anything better than the current agreement.

Also, he said “if there is no deal, there will be contingency measures”. But, he also emphasized “that will be very difficult and will not be done in a climate of confidence. The best guarantee is reaching an agreement.”

UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said to that that she has not raised the idea of extending Article 50 beyond March 29. And the spokesman also noted that “It is not something we have raised with the EU or suggested we wish to do”. On the other hand, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas also said “We have not received such a request from the UK for an extension”. And, “should there be a UK request to extend, this will be decided unanimously by the 27 and of course the request will have to set out the reasons for such an extension,”

May is expected to “table an amendable motion and to make a statement about the way forward” in the coming Monday. The Conservative Party’s leader in the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom told the parliament today that “A full day’s debate on the motion will take place on Tuesday 29 January, subject to the agreement of the house.”

Regarding the possibility of a second referendum, opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said “If a second referendum takes place, then obviously the party will decide what role we will play in that … but I can’t really go along with the idea that it should simply be a re-run of what happened in 2016”. And, “there has to be a discussion about the options that we put forward,”