Susanna Riva On November 5, 2026, Michel Barnier revived the idea of a British return to the European Union, formulated in terms of flexibility: the United Kingdom could move closer to the EU without having to give up the pound or necessarily join the free movement area. Barnier, now a French MP and former chief Brexit negotiator , uttered the key phrase , "The door is open," during a public meeting, underscoring the possibility of a proposal that would maintain some monetary and Schengen exemptions.
Barnier's statements on the possibility of re-entry
In his speech, Barnier clarified that, if the British people were to choose to seek closer ties with the European Union , it would not be right to impose on them the adoption of the euro or immediate reinstatement in the Schengen area . He therefore reiterated the concept of openness, but also recalled a well-known principle: "no cherry-picking" when it comes to access to the single market.
In practice, while access to some forms of economic and customs cooperation could be negotiated, the full benefits of the single market cannot be separated from the rules that govern it.
Possible forms of rapprochement
Barnier raised options ranging from joining specific areas of cooperation to full rejoining the EU, leaving the choice of which path to take to British interlocutors.
He mentioned the possibility of maintaining the pound and not immediately rejoining Schengen , while maintaining that the criteria for access to the single market must remain consistent. It should be remembered that Labour leader Andy Burnham has expressed the goal of a future rapprochement between the United Kingdom and the EU and has left open the possibility that the issue might appear in his Labour Party's election manifesto.
Comments on the French political landscape and candidates
Barnier didn't limit his remarks to the British issue: he also made clear observations on the political situation in France. Recalling his own experience at home, he described the French political atmosphere as partly "pre-insurrectionary" and expressed concern about the poll success of two candidates proposing radical EU reforms. In particular, he warned that Marine Le Pen's political program, with different tones and proposals, could point to a turning point that Barnier described as potentially close to what he called "the end of the European project as we have been building it for the past 40 years . "
Comparison between Le Pen, Mélenchon and Meloni
Barnier then distinguished the French right-wing leader from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, calling Meloni "pragmatic" and "pro-business ," and arguing that it's incorrect to automatically equate their positions. At the same time, he emphasized how, on some economic issues, Le Pen's platform may be surprisingly similar to that of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a figure of the radical left, thus suggesting unexpected convergences between opposite ends of the political spectrum.
Barnier's personal background and credentials
Barnier's political and institutional background plays a role in the weight of his words: a former negotiator for Britain's exit from the EU, he also briefly served as French Prime Minister in 2024 for about three months before losing parliament's confidence. His experience positions him as a recognized interlocutor on European issues and the governance of the single market, and his statements on the UK's possible reentry are relevant both in diplomatic circles and in the UK's internal political debate.
The debate over the UK's possible rejoining the EU raises unresolved issues: the single currency, free movement, and access to the internal market remain sensitive issues that would require complex negotiations and politically sensitive agreements. Barnier's words, however, introduce a clear element into the public debate: the possibility of a return that isn't necessarily all-encompassing, provided it respects the rules governing key EU areas.