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Shaping the future of the EU: reviving the Europeanisation process

Date de publication
01 September 2020
Accroche

More than ten years after joining the European Union (EU), the Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) exhibit a puzzle of attitudes and conceptions regarding the EU.

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A week that will define Europe

20 June 2016
Accroche

 In a few days’ time, the populist conservative Boris Johnson may well be on his way to becoming British prime minister. And the radical left Podemos movement could be close to the reins of power in Spain. There is the question of what role the current EU institutions — the Commission and the Parliament — might play in a new climate infused with Euro-wariness. “There’s a realization that Europe has changed much faster than its conservative, slow-moving institutional bodies,” said Vivien Pertusot. 

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Sweden: Mind Rather Than Heart in EU Politics

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

The Swedish decision to enter the EU was not based so much on the hope of gaining something, but rather on the fear of being left out if it did not. It was probably the desire for a ‘negative safety’ that made the Swedes vote in favour of the EU as the alternative cost would probably have been too high.

Aras LINDH
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Portugal: Waiting for Better in the Adversity

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

The Portuguese population remains supportive of the EU, but without a clear motive, and with a feeling that the country is run by external actors with external interests. Meanwhile, the authorities have strived to appear as “a good student” rigorously implementing austerity measures.

Sandra FERNANDES Isabel ESTRADA CARVALHAIS
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Greece: Perspectives of Adjustment, Prospects for Reform

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Greece has a record as a pro-integration country. Yet, the sovereign debt crisis and the adjustment programmes have sapped the Eurozone’s and the EU’s image, especially regarding its capacity to provide a framework for economic prosperity. Still, the refugee crisis proves that EU membership continues to offer a credible support system within which it can expect economic aid, organisational backing and the protection of its borders.

 

Eleni PANAGIOTAREA
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Slovakia: Country of Many Paradoxes

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Slovakia might be perceived as a “latecomer” in preparing for EU accession only in the 1990s, but it caught up rapidly. Among its chief objectives was for Slovakians to achieve higher living standards and gain an external system of checks and balances, which would improve the country’s democratic processes and public administration.

Ana BENJE
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Italy: Wavering Between Europhilia and Euroscepticism

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Italy has gone from one of the most pro-EU country to a rather euro-critical one. The crisis has dimmed hopes that the EU membership was a stimulator for economic growth. Moreover, Italians believed that the EU would be able to correct the shortcomings of national institutions. Phenomena, such as corruption, however, remain acutely perceived in Italy.

Eleonora POLI
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Czech Republic: In Favour of Deeper Integration Without Being Aware of It

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

The Czech Republic has moved from being a pro-EU country focused on benefits it can reap, such as the freedom of movement, to a more sceptic country in recent years. The critiques against the EU date back to the accession and do not focus on the integration process, but rather on the conditions of membership - especially those discussed during the negotiations on the Lisbon treaty and after on the euro adoption.

Vladimir BARTOVIC
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Netherlands: Hoping For Balance and Convergence

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

As a trading nation, the Netherlands has in particular valued the EU’s economic dimension. This also includes the EU’s geopolitical influence as it requires a major trading bloc to sway international negotiations. Moreover, it has always strived to balance powers in Europe and feels that the EU is a good vehicle through which to do so.

Adriaan SCHOUT
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Slovenia: Learning in (Self-)Governance in the Conditions of Europeanisation

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Slovenians believe that they mostly benefit in terms of mobility (no/less border controls), cheaper mobile calls and improved consumer rights. In opposition to these concrete EU-membership related benefits, however, the generally positive assessment of the EU dropped immensely following the European economic and financial crisis.

Ana BOJINOVIC FENKO
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Shaping the future of the EU: reviving the Europeanisation process

Date de publication
01 September 2020
Accroche

More than ten years after joining the European Union (EU), the Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) exhibit a puzzle of attitudes and conceptions regarding the EU.

Image de couverture de la publication
couv_croatia.png

Croatia: An Expanding Learning Curve

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

The expectations of Croat citizens are modest since the country entered the EU in the midst of the financial crisis and the popular feeling is one of cautious optimism. The membership serves as a catalyst for the creation of national identity as one rooted in the West. It should also boost growth in the country, which Croatia is only starting to see having entered the EU in the midst of the crisis.

Senada SELO SABIC Sonja BORIC
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couv_slovakia.png

Slovakia: Country of Many Paradoxes

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Slovakia might be perceived as a “latecomer” in preparing for EU accession only in the 1990s, but it caught up rapidly. Among its chief objectives was for Slovakians to achieve higher living standards and gain an external system of checks and balances, which would improve the country’s democratic processes and public administration.

Ana BENJE
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Malta: No Bridge is "A Bridge Too Far"

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Malta as an isolated country saw relations with the EU as a bridge building effort with the peoples of the European Continent, which would also secure supplies, open markets, help obtain energy and strengthen security.

Roderick PACE
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Sweden: Mind Rather Than Heart in EU Politics

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

The Swedish decision to enter the EU was not based so much on the hope of gaining something, but rather on the fear of being left out if it did not. It was probably the desire for a ‘negative safety’ that made the Swedes vote in favour of the EU as the alternative cost would probably have been too high.

Aras LINDH
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Romania: Soul Search, National and European Identity and Politics in a Time of Trouble

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Despite almost ten years within the European Union, Romania’s accession is not yet complete. It is not part of the Schengen zone and has yet to enter the Eurozone (planned for 2019). Moreover, a core problem remains in the ownership of the necessary reforms to catch up with the rest of the EU and to reform the public authorities.

Mihai SEBE
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Germany: Being European in a Renationalising Europe

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

The times when the German population met the EU with almost unconditional and passive support might be over, but it is still convinced that any step backwards would entrain even bigger damages for Germany’s stability, peace and wealth.

Julie HAMANN
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Luxembourg: Being Determines (European) Consciousness

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

A key element to understand the Luxembourgish perspective on the EU relates to its geography. Contacts with citizens from neighbouring countries are daily and affect the kind of society that Luxembourg has become, quite multinational. Similarly, the presence of many international companies leads Luxembourg to favour open markets for labour, services, goods and capital.

Guido LESSING
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Belgium: A Discreet and Pragmatic Europhile Approach

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Belgium has historically been a pro-European country. It depends on trade and foreign investment. As a small country, it benefits from being part of an institutional framework that balances the power of bigger Member States. The lack of a strong sense of national identity also helps to explain why there has been less reluctance to transfer competences to the EU.

Sophie HEINE
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Ireland: Bridging the Gap from the Western Periphery of the Union

Date de publication
01 March 2016
Accroche

Despite the difficult economic crisis Ireland has experienced and the implementation of a far-reaching bailout programme, the Irish continue to believe that their EU membership has been positive in political and economic terms. As a small state in the EU, Ireland hopes to continue to be able to shape policy outcomes and remain actively involved in the core of the EU.

Marie CROSS
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A week that will define Europe

20 June 2016
Accroche

 In a few days’ time, the populist conservative Boris Johnson may well be on his way to becoming British prime minister. And the radical left Podemos movement could be close to the reins of power in Spain. There is the question of what role the current EU institutions — the Commission and the Parliament — might play in a new climate infused with Euro-wariness. “There’s a realization that Europe has changed much faster than its conservative, slow-moving institutional bodies,” said Vivien Pertusot. 

Read the article

Building Bridges Conversation Series - Ireland & the Netherlands

05 January 2016
Accroche

This new episode of the Building Bridges Conversation Series is part of the "Building Bridges" project, which aims to foster debate on the future of the European Union and offer top quality analyses on how each member state perceives the EU. In this video, Vivien Pertusot, coordinator of the project, discusses with Marie Cross from the Institute of International and European Affairs (Ireland) and Adriaan Schout from Clingendael (the Netherlands). 

Building Bridges Conversation Series - Luxembourg & Spain

16 December 2015
Accroche

This new episode of the Building Bridges Conversation Series is part of the "Building Bridges" project, which aims to foster debate on the future of the European Union and offer top quality analyses on how each member state perceives the EU. In this video, Vivien Pertusot, coordinator of the project, discusses with Guido Lessing from the Centre d’études et de recherches européennes (Luxembourg) and Charles Powell from Real Instituto Elcano (Spain). 

Building Bridges Conversation Series - Slovakia & Poland

01 July 2015
Accroche

This first episode of the Building Bridges Conversation Series is part of the "Building Bridges" project, which aims to foster debate on the future of the European Union and offer top quality analyses on how each member state perceives the EU. In this video, Vivien Pertusot, coordinator of the project discusses with Ana Benje from Comenius University (Slovakia) and Nathan Dufour from PISM (Poland).

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