UK rejoin sentiment climbs as Europeans back Britain's return to EU

A new European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) poll across 15 EU member states finds that 66% of respondents view the prospect of the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union positively. Support ranges from a low of 56% in Bulgaria and 59% in France and Italy to a high of 75% in the Netherlands and Denmark. Even voters for right‑wing and eurosceptic parties, such as France’s National Rally and Germany’s AfD, show a 58% backing for renewed ties.

European leaders echo the poll’s optimism; French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that “the door remains open.” In the United Kingdom, public sentiment has shifted dramatically. Two‑thirds of Britons link Brexit to a steep rise in living costs, 65% say it weakened the economy, and 57% believe it reduced opportunities for younger generations. Moreover, 58% now feel Brexit has worsened illegal immigration. Consequently, 75% of respondents in the UK desire a closer relationship with the EU, and 63% are willing to accept free movement of people—once a politically toxic idea. Trust in the United States as a reliable partner has fallen to 18%, while 58% favor tighter defence cooperation with Europe.