UK Raises Possibility of EU Return... Macron and Sanchez Say, "Come Back, You're Welcome"

As British Prime Minister Andy Burnham raised the issue of the UK rejoining the European Union, French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that they would welcome Britain's return.

According to AFP and Reuters on the 30th local time, President Macron, on a state visit to Spain, said during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sanchez in Madrid, "If the British people want to return and the Prime Minister is moving in that direction, this is very good news for both the UK and Europe," adding, "Come back."

Prime Minister Sanchez also stated that if the UK hopes to return, "Spain would naturally applaud and welcome our British brothers and sisters with open arms."

In a speech at the ruling Labour Party's annual conference on the 29th, Prime Minister Burnham proposed finding a consensus through national discussion, saying he will present various options regarding how to establish a relationship with the EU ahead of the UK-EU summit in November.

In an interview with the BBC on the 30th, he went beyond returning to the European single market or customs union, saying he could "go all the way," hinting that rejoining the EU is included in the options being considered.

Given that the Labour Party pledged to rule out rejoining the EU as well as returning to the single market and customs union when the government took office in July 2024, it is projected that if Prime Minister Burnham pursues this, he will present a new pledge for the next general election scheduled for the summer of 2029.

Public opinion in favor of the UK rejoining the EU is relatively high.

According to a YouGov poll in June, the approval rating for rejoining the EU stood at 55%, significantly leading the opposition rate of 34%.

However, many point out that actually pursuing this will not be easy, as the 2016 Brexit referendum result was implemented through immense political and social upheaval.

(File Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.