MADRID – Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has declared he would “absolutely” support the United Kingdom re-entering the European Union, describing the country’s absence from the bloc as something the EU “misses” and stressing a “clear need” for Britain to return “especially nowadays”.
In an interview with the New Statesman published this week, Mr Sánchez praised the recent diplomatic thaw between Madrid and London, particularly the agreement reached last year on Gibraltar’s status, which he called an “obstacle” that had finally been overcome.
He highlighted the potential for mutual learning between himself and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose Labour government has increasingly voiced criticism of Brexit’s economic fallout and pursued warmer ties with Brussels, including high-level discussions this week between European Commissioner for finance Valdis Dombrovskis and UK ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Mr Sánchez’s comments mark one of the most explicit endorsements yet from a major EU leader for British re-entry, amid growing calls in some quarters for a post-Brexit “reset” and closer cooperation on trade, security and other issues.
The Spanish premier’s remarks come against the backdrop of improved bilateral relations, including a strategic framework agreement signed in 2025 to deepen economic, political and social ties following the Gibraltar deal.
