{
  "id": 10998421,
  "title": "France's Macron, Spain's Sanchez welcome idea of UK rejoining EU after Burnham remarks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/frances-macron-spains-sanchez-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after-10998421",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T17:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/france-s-macron-spain-s-sanchez-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after-burnham-remarks/a-79493469?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed their welcome to the idea of the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union. Macron, while in Madrid, greeted the proposal with the words \"Welcome back\" in English. He stated that if the British government is considering returning, it would be a positive development for both the UK and Europe.\n\nMacron emphasized that the UK cannot adopt a selective approach, choosing some aspects of the EU while rejecting others. He firmly rejected the notion of a \"la carte\" option, insisting that the union cannot be divided into parts that one wishes to keep and parts that one wants to discard.\n\nSanchez concurred, describing the UK's 2016 decision to leave the EU as a significant loss for both the British people and the European project as a whole. He suggested that if the UK were to rejoin, Spain would be delighted and open its doors to the country.\n\nThe European Commission spokesperson, Balazs Ujvari, confirmed the EU's open-mindedness towards the UK's potential return, stating that it is up to the British government to outline its preferred relationship with the EU. Ujvari reiterated the EU's readiness to engage on any options the UK might propose.\n\nUK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in a separate interview, suggested that Britain could opt for various paths in its relationship with the EU, ranging from maintaining the current status to rejoining the single market or a customs union. He acknowledged that Brexit has caused more harm than good and pledged to present different options closer to a summit in November.\n\nWhile recent polls indicate a majority of Britons favor rejoining the EU, reintroducing the Euro or contributing to the EU budget is likely to provoke significant opposition. Moreover, the UK will not regain the same privileges it enjoyed as a member state.\n\nFor now, Burnham remains committed to his 2024 Labour Party manifesto, which did not endorse rejoining the EU or other related policies. However, he could advocate for a stronger EU connection during the upcoming general election, which is scheduled for August 2029.",
  "summary": "During a visit to Spain, France's Emmanuel Macron said it would be \"good news\" if the UK moves towards the EU, with Pedro Sanchez also embracing the idea. UK PM Andy Burnham has not ruled out rejoining the bloc.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Le Monde English",
        "title": "Macron says 'welcome back' after Burnham floats UK return to EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/macron-says-welcome-back-after-burnham-floats-uk-return-to-eu",
        "published": "2026-09-30T14:01:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Macron says ‘welcome back’ after Burnham floats UK’s return to EU",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/macron-says-welcome-back-after-burnham-floats-uks-return-to-eu",
        "published": "2026-09-30T14:30:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "France and Spain welcome idea of UK rejoining EU after Burnham’s speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/france-and-spain-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after-burnhams-speech",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:01:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "REPLAY: France's Macron calls for 'stronger Europe' on Spain trip",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/replay-frances-macron-calls-for-stronger-europe-on-spain-trip",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:01:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Olive Press",
        "title": "Spain would welcome Britain back into EU ‘with open arms’, Sanchez says during Macron visit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/spain-would-welcome-britain-back-into-eu-with-open-arms-sanchez-says",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Andy Burnham says Britain could consider rejoining European Union",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/andy-burnham-says-britain-could-consider-rejoining-european-union",
        "published": "2026-09-30T16:08:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "France's Macron, Spain's Sanchez welcome idea of UK rejoining EU after Burnham remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/frances-macron-spains-sanchez-welcome-idea-of-uk-rejoining-eu-after",
        "published": "2026-09-30T17:34:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}