UK participation in EU elections uncertain for now; decision expected by mid-April

A decision on whether Britain should participate in the European Parliament election needs to be taken by mid-April, an EU official said on Wednesday, as British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to ask the EU for a delay to Brexit. May is to write to European Council President Donald Tusk to ask for a short delay. May "won't be asking for a long extension," said a source in her Downing Street office, who spoke on condition of anonymity. May had warned lawmakers that she could seek an extension beyond June 30 if they voted down her treaty a third time.

Meanwhile, Austria's delegate to Brexit negotiations had recently said in an interview that Britain must take part in European parliamentary elections if its departure from the European Union is pushed back beyond July 1.

Ballots have to be printed in time and clarity over how to distribute parliamentary seats among member states is needed.