
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants to rethink future relations with the EU. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and French President Emmanuel Macron signal openness to re-entry.
AI-generated summary
Brexit was decided by referendum in 2016. A friendship treaty between France and Spain signed in January 2023 is currently blocked by the Spanish opposition.
Spain would accept Great Britain back into the European Union "with open arms," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Wednesday during a joint press conference with Emmanuel Macron. The French President is also open and declared that it would be “excellent news” and “a good decision” if the British Prime Minister wanted Great Britain to return to the EU.
The comments followed corresponding statements from the new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He has taken a clear position on the issue of Brexit: "Brexit has done more harm than good," he said in his first party conference speech as Labor leader about his country's exit from the EU, which was decided in a referendum in 2016. In the context of the next summit with the European Union, he therefore wants to present several options for a long-term relationship with the European partners, including re-entry into the Union.
Macron in Spain – Senate blocks friendship treaty
The Spanish Senate's rejection of a friendship treaty with France has overshadowed Macron's state visit to Madrid. Sánchez therefore asked his guest to apologize. Just a few hours after Macron's arrival, the conservative opposition had prevented the ratification of the agreement the evening before with its majority of votes in the "Senado".
"I can only publicly apologize for this negative vote," said Sánchez in Madrid. At the same time, the head of the left-wing government was convinced that the contract would be ratified “by the end of the year.”
The contract signed by Macron and Sánchez in January 2023 is facing resistance from the opposition in Spain. The conservative People's Party PP has appealed to the Constitutional Court over a regulation in the agreement regarding the participation of French ministers in meetings of the Spanish government. However, only last week it unanimously confirmed that the regulation is compatible with the Spanish constitution.
Macron arrived in Spain on Tuesday for a two-day state visit and was greeted by King Felipe VI. and Queen Letizia were received with military honors. It is the first state visit by a French president to Spain since 2009.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Ratification of the Franco-Spanish friendship treaty by the end of the year.
Likely · Within months

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