Europe is facing a fourfold crisis: the euro crisis; the refugee crisis; the breakdown of economic and social integration and an existential crisis.
Europe is confronted with a conjunction of crises and stands at a decisive stage in its history. The long crisis experienced by the eurozone, the instability of its neighborhood, the breakdown of economic and social integration, as well as the weakening of the political legitimacy of the European Union (EU) combine to cast doubt on the sustainability of common policies and institutions resulting from the successive stages of European integration.
These difficulties run deep. They are, of course, linked to a difficult situation, but more fundamentally to uncertainties and disagreements regarding the direction to be taken by the European project.
Faced with these different crises, the French, like Europeans, seem unwilling to advance toward greater integration, retreat to national isolation, or remain in an unsatisfactory and unstable status quo.
In the face of this apparent paradox, it is necessary to seek a new balance between integration where collective interest prevails, respect for national sovereignties where they must prevail, and the need for greater efficiency in institutions where it is lacking.
It is essential for France to overcome its ambiguities in order to define the future it desires in Europe.
This choice will logically be of determining importance for the very future of the European project, its nature, and its ambition.
