Macron described Britain’s departure from the European Union as a “destructive exception” to European integration. He said even nationalist leaders had recognised the role of the bloc.
The French president challenged the promises made by Brexit supporters. He said that 10 years later, Britain’s GDP was eight percentage points lower than promised, migration had become more complicated and international trade had performed worse.
Macron made the remarks during a discussion with students at Complutense University in Madrid, putting Britain back at the centre of the European debate.
On Wednesday, Macron was due to meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, with a joint news conference planned. The GDP figure and assessments of migration and trade are presented as Macron’s claims, not as independent analysis.