European Union
EU faces a year of challenges
The European Union represents 500 million people, or 7% of the global population, and produces 25% of the world’s gross domestic product. It also claims to represent the values of peace, democracy, the rule of law, human rights, tolerance, individual freedom, the market economy and the free circulation of people, goods and capital. It is thus an admired example of political organisation all over the world, and this year, its 70th anniversary, the union can largely be considered a success story. Yet, it is not all sweetness and light, as the EU faces plenty of problems, in all areas, whether economic, social, political or institutional.
Economic challenges
Post-recession mechanisms need to be established, while avoiding a growth in inequality. Rising unemployment, especially among young people, must also be avoided, and without leaving people outside the system. Progress also needs to be made in economic and fiscal integration, while energy policy is a priority for the whole bloc.
Social challenges
Social harmony is a main priority, with the development of policies promoting equality of opportunity and respect for diversity, while avoiding radicalization that can lead to terrorist activity. A common immigration policy is also required in order to manage refugees and asylum seekers.
Political challenges
As for politics, the EU’s foreign policy will be focused on security, with greater coordination between member states, shared defence and providing the Council of the European Union with a greater decision making capacity. The ability to make efficient and quick decisions for the bloc will be essential in dealing with world powers like the US, Russia and China, as well as areas of conflict in the Middle East, not to mention Brexit, the other great political crisis facing the EU. Meanwhile, from within, the EU is facing a rise in nationalist movements, in places like Catalonia, Scotland and Corsica.
Institutional challenges
For some time, EU citizens have showed increasing distrust of the bloc’s institutions, despite the efforts made to explain the European project to the public. To remedy this, and the rise in Euroscepticism, the union and its member states have to make a special effort to be more transparent and adopt policies that better serve the general public.
Conclusions
Despite the many interests and differences between EU member states, a real effort is needed on joint action that is targeted at the needs of everyday citizens. Successfully facing the challenges mentioned above is the only way the union can hope to survive and continue to be an example of political organisation for the rest of the world.
