What does Theresa May’s speech mean for the future of Brexit?

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: British Prime Minister, Theresa May addresses the nation after asking the European Union for a Brexit extension, at number 10 Downing Street on March 20, 2019 in London, England. EU Commission President, Donald Tusk has said that the EU would grant a short extension to Article 50, if Theresa May can get approval for her withdrawal agreement from Parliament before next Friday. (Photo by Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Theresa May will today ask the EU27 to agree an extension to the Brexit process, but it is far from certain what type of extension, if any, she will get.

All eyes are on Emmanuel Macron, who is widely believed to be the most inclined to say “thanks, but no thanks” to any extension without a serious plan to resolve the deadlock. The FT’s Victor Mallet has an invaluable explainer of the French president’s thinking. Brexit complicates Macron’s twin political aims: to see off the threat of France’s own Eurosceptics and Marine Le Pen’s rebranded National Rally.