Why are EU leaders meeting for another Brexit summit on 10 April?

European Council president Donald Tusk announced on Friday that EU leaders would meet for another summit on 10 April.

Why 10 April?

The date of the meeting, which is expected to be in Brussels, is two days before the UK is due to crash out of the EU without a deal – 12 April is the new deadline.

Leaders are keen to have their meeting a couple of days before the deadline, rather than literally on the last day – so there is time to figure things out. Officials in Brussels have noticed the UK has a habit of leaving things to the last minute.

What will they discuss?

The leaders will discuss what should happen next, with the UK’s impending crashing out. If Theresa May asks for a long extension to Article 50, they will consider her request.

Many EU leaders have hinted that they’d be willing to consider such an extension, but several have said they would have to be conditions attached.

Will Theresa May ask for such an extension?

She’s said she doesn’t want to delay Brexit past 30 June, probably because it would drive hard Brexiteers in her party mad.

But a limited second extension to 30 June is not an option as far as the EU is concerned.

Leaders have said any extension would require the UK to take part in European parliament elections, and have to run for a substantial length of time – possibly until the end of the year.

The prime minister would have to bite the bullet and go for a longer extension.

Notably, her spokespeople have not ruled out her resignation. More will become clear in the coming days.