CHALLENGES FACED BY THE
EUROPEAN UNION
I-The Enlargements
Since 1973, the European Union has known various enlargements. We can wonder where it is going to stop: some people are advocating for the entrance of Turkey... This raises questions about the decisions-making process: it is difficult for every 27 countries to agree on the same thing. We can wonder if they might not be a lack of efficiency.
II-Sharing state's authorities
The European Union wants to broaden its competencies: creation of European diplomacy or a European army. However, this desire is stopped by the difficulty to find a common diplomatic posture and by the reluctance of states to give up this national power.
A European army seems to be off the table because states want to keep the control of their armies, because the members states have different interests and different vision about military interventions. Moreover, some countries find it useless because most EU countries are already part of the NATO. (Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization)
III-The rise of euroscepticism
These last decades, euroscepticism politicians have risen to power. Those politicians advocate for the disengagement or the withdrawal of their country from the European Union. Some of them are the head of their country's government which makes it difficult to work with them about the European Union. An example of that is the Brexit.With it, we can question ourselves about possible new departure from the union… Indeed, this event shows the fragility of the European Union. We can wonder if nations are truly implicated into the Union and how strong is actually the European Union. Will it survive the rise of euroskepticism?
IV- A difficult handling of the crises
The European Union has been criticized for its handling of the economic crisis in Greece. Indeed, the country under EU pressure, tried to use austerity policies to decrease its soaring debts. However, this policies have worsened even more the state of the Greek economy (high unemployment rate, high inflation rate...)
Moreover, the Union had troubles to handle the migrant crisis. There was a lack of solidarity between the state members: some of them refused to welcome migrants in their country. The borders of the Union were reestablished at some places, against the values of the EU.
V-Growing criticism by the citizens
The citizens of the European Union are being more critical of the union which they often view as far away from their daily lives and unable to solve their problems.
Moreover, the Union has been criticized for its policies inspired by liberalism which they view as not protective enough of the workers and their right.
The EU has also been criticized about its handling of global warming, it is seen as too inactive about those questions.