How will the EU react to the extension request? Pragmatically. Like the government they would want the deal to pass, but can approach this without the political whirlwind. (1/2)
Expect an extension even if the deal passes the U.K. parliament- because it also has to pass the EP. Why does that need time?
Because the agreement is complex and much depends on this. Read this - Art. 5(6) NI Protocol - bearing in mind that each sub clause is supposed to be meaningful. To understand the implications they’ll need a couple of days. 
