LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union should allow Britain to extend the formal exit process from the European Union to allow the country more time to decide how it wants to leave the bloc, Germany’s economy minister Peter Altmaier said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a resounding defeat on her Brexit plan in parliament on Tuesday. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29.

“The European Union should allow for additional time in order to achieve a clear position by the British parliament and people,” Altmaier told BBC radio. “Personally, I would see this as a reasonable request.”