UPDATE 1-France will not accept repeated Brexit delays – French official

France will not tolerate repeated extensions of the Brexit deadline, a French presidential adviser said on Friday, expressing hope that European elections in Britain would jolt its political parties into reaching a deal on leaving the EU.

France pushed hard for a short extension of Brexit negotiations last month, contrary to Germany's wish to grant a longer period, arguing that pressure should be kept on London. In the end a six-month delay was agreed by European leaders. "We must not get sucked into repeated extensions, that's for sure," the adviser said. "Our message is clear: a solution must have been found by October 31."

The French adviser did not close the door on a further extension beyond Oct. 31, but made clear France would continue to argue against delaying talks repeatedly. "Maybe European elections (in Britain) will serve as a shock to reach a transpartisan deal," the adviser said. (Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Richard Lough)

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