The House of Human and Social Sciences of the Southeast at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis is organizing a conference on the theme “The Future of Europe” by Nicole Fontaine, former President of the European Parliament and former Minister of Industry.
What is the future path for European construction? The disenchantment of the peoples towards European construction is not new.
After a period of pronounced enthusiasm, a gap gradually widened between community decision-makers and citizens, and the first rift appeared in France during the referendum on the Maastricht Treaty (1992). The failure of the referendum on the draft Constitutional Treaty in May 2005 confirmed, if there was any doubt, this fracture.
However, the crisis that suddenly occurred in 2008 accelerated the process. A superficial analysis strongly anchored the feeling among populations that Europe was the problem. Today, everyone seems to agree that European construction must be completely rethought. But how?
Between those who advocate disengagement from European action and a return to simple intergovernmental coordination, and those who believe that the solution lies in more federalism, what is the path forward?
Differentiated proposals are beginning to emerge, particularly suggesting the strengthening of integration among Eurozone member countries. But are the states, which will have a decisive weight in the final decision, likely to agree on such a perspective? In this regard, are the European visions of Germany and France compatible? Finally, is the future of Europe with or without Great Britain?
All these questions will be at the heart of the upcoming debate led by the new personalities who will be called to the helm of European Institutions, notably to the Presidency of the Commission. They deserve today the in-depth analysis and reflection of all those who believe that Europe is the solution.
