Brexit 5 years on: 'We would have you back,' says Europe, in new poll
Five years after Britain voted to leave the European Union, most Europeans say they would welcome them back.
But a poll by Euronews by Redfield & Wilton Strategies also found that many Europeans are keenly watching how Britain fares outside the bloc - and would be willing to consider their own nation's exit if it works well for the UK.
Wednesday marks five years since Britain held a referendum on its membership of the EU, in which 51.9% voted to leave.
The vote shook British and European politics to its core and was followed by years of gruelling negotiations between Brussels and London.
Then, on December 24, 2020, at the eleventh hour, a deal was reached that prevented the UK from crashing out of the bloc.
But Brexit is far from over.
It began with disruptions at ports and the detention of EU citizens by British authorities over confusion about visas. Six months later, Brussels and London are back to trading barbs over fishing rights and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
An exclusive poll for Euronews carried out by Redfield & Wilton in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain found that a majority of the 1,500 respondents polled in each of the four countries would vote for their country to remain a member state if a referendum was held in the near future.
Spaniards were the most adamant with 84% of them holding that view.
Most respondents in the four countries also affirmed having a favourable view of the EU and that being a member state had a positive effect on their country.
Asked if the UK public had made the right decision in 2016, most French, German and Spanish respondents said no, but most Italians, despite their attachment to the EU, said Brits had made the right decision.
Italian respondents were also the only ones to predominantly hold the view that the UK public will increasingly appreciate having left the bloc. In France, Germany and Spain, the main opinion is that they will regret it.
But it's not completely off the table for now with most Europeans polled waiting for the dust to settle on Brexit to make a decision.
Should the UK and its economy be in a good state in five years time, half of Italian respondents said they would be more likely to support leaving the union. Most French and German respondents also held that view with Spaniards divided.
But a poll by Euronews by Redfield & Wilton Strategies also found that many Europeans are keenly watching how Britain fares outside the bloc - and would be willing to consider their own nation's exit if it works well for the UK.
Wednesday marks five years since Britain held a referendum on its membership of the EU, in which 51.9% voted to leave.
The vote shook British and European politics to its core and was followed by years of gruelling negotiations between Brussels and London.
Then, on December 24, 2020, at the eleventh hour, a deal was reached that prevented the UK from crashing out of the bloc.
But Brexit is far from over.
It began with disruptions at ports and the detention of EU citizens by British authorities over confusion about visas. Six months later, Brussels and London are back to trading barbs over fishing rights and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
We love EU
Perhaps that goes some way to explain why Europeans are, for now, not keen to follow in the UK's footsteps and divorce the EU.An exclusive poll for Euronews carried out by Redfield & Wilton in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain found that a majority of the 1,500 respondents polled in each of the four countries would vote for their country to remain a member state if a referendum was held in the near future.
Spaniards were the most adamant with 84% of them holding that view.
Most respondents in the four countries also affirmed having a favourable view of the EU and that being a member state had a positive effect on their country.
Asked if the UK public had made the right decision in 2016, most French, German and Spanish respondents said no, but most Italians, despite their attachment to the EU, said Brits had made the right decision.
Italian respondents were also the only ones to predominantly hold the view that the UK public will increasingly appreciate having left the bloc. In France, Germany and Spain, the main opinion is that they will regret it.
Not exiting EU...yet?
Eurosceptic politicians across Europe have more or less abandoned their pledge to hold a similar referendum. Even Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right Rassemblement National, who backed a "Frexit" during her 2017 presidential campaign, has had a change of heart in time for next year's presidential election.But it's not completely off the table for now with most Europeans polled waiting for the dust to settle on Brexit to make a decision.
Should the UK and its economy be in a good state in five years time, half of Italian respondents said they would be more likely to support leaving the union. Most French and German respondents also held that view with Spaniards divided.
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