LMC 2018

How Great is Europe?

Brexit, European Union, Integration, Populism

In spite of the rise of populist, Eurosceptic political parties in many European countries over recent years, a solid majority of EU citizens continues to see EU membership as a positive thing. Brexit was not the start of a domino effect. On the contrary, it led to a renewed recognition of the positive aspects of integration. The new leadership of France and Germany is expected to steer the EU towards strengthening the Eurozone and enhancing the EU´s contribution to security and defence. On the other hand, cleavages between East and West, and North and South, make it hard to agree on the steps ahead. Solidarity among member states and citizens has been weakened by the many crises that the EU has experienced in the past decade. Even common values can no longer be taken for granted. What will be the main challenges for the EU during the institutional cycle that will follow the European Parliament elections in 2019? What is it that holds us Europeans together? Are we simply afraid of the unknown consequences of disintegration? Or do we really believe that the EU is great?