Far, far away - a new EU vision ?

In recent years there have been many voices criticizing the EU vision of an ever closer union. "More Europe" is not always the answer.

One of PM Cameron´s priorities in his Brexit-negotiations was that the UK would be exempted from this vision. In May European Council President Tusk famoulsy said

obsessed with the idea of instant and total integration, we failed to notice that ordinary people, the citizens of Europe do not share our Euro-enthusiasm

Parties and movements turning against the ideals of a more united Europe are becoming ever more popular in a growing number of countries.

And yesterday EurActiv could tell that EU puts "ever closer union" on hold

As the EU prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the “ever closer union” principle that underpinned the European project is being put on hold as the bloc struggles to survive its annus horribilis.

EurActiv recalls a European Parliament plenary session in 2009, when Czech President Vaclav Klaus was booed by MEPs because he dared to question the “ever closer union” principle enshrined in the EU treaties. “Let us not allow a situation where citizens of member countries would live with a resigned feeling that the European project is not their own,” he said. A few years later, the Eurosceptic president can partly claim victory, because the EU’s “uncritical acceptance of this dogma” is being dismantled.

The newspaper article refers statements from politicians, Brussels spokespersons and analysts, with no clear conclusion on what will happen in the future. The statements highligt that many now are calling for "better", not "more" Europe. “There is a decline in what member states and the institutions think they can achieve together,” said Guntram Wolff, director of the Bruegel think tank. “The lack of ambition is very clear,” agrees Ignacio Molina, senior researcher at the Real Instituto Elcano. And the changes in attitude is not only because of looming national elections in several member countries. “There is a more philosophical shift, not only in Germany but also in France,” said Bruegel’s Wolff. The problem is much deeper,” (another) agreed . “Mainstream parties have lost not only room for maneuvering because of the populist parties. The biggest risk is the polarization between the winners and losers,” of the current system, he added. The winner-loser development is analysed more in depth in an EU research-report - Rising inequalities in the EU and their social, economic and political impacts. 

But to formulate and agree a new or revised vision is a difficult task, "better Europe" is only a small step on the road.