What future ahead of the European Union?
The EU is changing. Brexit, the rise of nationalist and Eurosceptic forces, uncertainty about EU’s capability to deal with another economic and financial crisis, and the divisions among the Member States as to the future reform priorities are some of the most formidable challenges the EU is facing.
But are these problems unique to the EU or are they a part of a broader economic and institutional fragility and backlash against globalisation, rising inequality and current economic and political governance systems? Are the key challenges European nations are currently facing better tackled at the national or EU level? Is the EU integrated enough to deal with the problems, or does addressing them inevitably mean stronger involvement of national governments? What are the main strains on EU unity? Where do the anti-EU pressures come from in countries like Italy or Poland. Is more or less Europe in these countries’ and EU’s interest? Can two-speed Europe work?
These were some of the key issues discussed in last weekend’s “The EU: Saviour or Oppressor?” episode of the BBC World Service programme “In the Balance”. The programme featured, among others, CASE President Przemysław Kowalski who had an honour to contribute a view from Poland.
