Germany is gaining a wider consensus on a hard deadline. Macron is winning the argument

The interests of the two countries and their leaders are diverging

May and Corbyn only need to agree on the political principles underpinning the UK’s withdrawal

There are rational and strategic arguments to be made against offering the UK more time

EU leaders do not want further delay, and MPs will struggle to unite around an alternative plan

It is time for the other 27 member states to insist the UK make up its mind

Extended UK divorce will suck up union’s resources and distract it from more pressing business

If May’s deal is defeated again, this option at least offers a smooth transition

Berlin is paying for its political choices on public sector debt reduction

For the time being, rightwingers are thriving, but their rise is self-limiting

The UK must draw up a post-industrial economic strategy for the long term

History tells us we should not draw conclusions from the lack of agreement at this moment

It is important to remember that many choices appear binary when they are not

The treaty signed by France and Germany sets a significant agenda

The EU will not bend on the withdrawal deal, even through fear of disruption

For Theresa May’s deal to pass, Brussels must remove the option of stalling Article 50

May elections will determine whether the bloc can stand on its own in a more hostile world

Liberals are often led astray by their addiction to macroeconomic variables such as GDP

The ECB has a record of optimistic forecasts but the economy could tank

The backstop is awful and a purgatory in which the union does not want to end up

‘America First’ hit the EU hard but its response has been weak

It leaves several options open, including the Norway model, that would otherwise shut

There is a striking gap between analysis of investors and that of political commentators

The bloc has good reasons not to extend the March 29 deadline for withdrawal

Departing from the path set by the chancellor could put the CDU back on track