The European Union at a Crossroads: Political Tensions, Economic Weakness, and the Integration Process in Danger

This roundtable aims at providing room for debate on the state of the European Union (EU). Past months have been marked by the European Parliamentary elections that proved the increased dissatisfaction of European citizens about the integration process. The vote for anti-euro parties shows many citizens do not believe anymore in the European integration ‘as we know it’. This together with the enduring economic crisis put the overall integration process at risk.

What to do for reinvigorating the EU? While some analysts argue for the need for a true federation and a quantum leap to reinforce the Union; others propose a more ‘polyphonic’ and ‘bottom-up’ approach.

The round table puts together leading scholars who have marked the literature on EU integration with their seminal publications; and younger scholars who, in the past years, have contributed to EU studies. They will comment past events, while providing a stimulating ‘forward looking’ reflection on the future of the EU. The round table will focus on both EU politics (and the increased complex interplay between the national and supra-national political dynamics) and the policy tensions in the EU economic and social strategy.