Coronavirus: without a renewed European patriotism, the decline of the Union will be inevitable

The EU came out ripped apart of the European Council of last March 26, a meeting devoted to the managment of the most serious crisis since 1929, far worse than the 2012-2017 one. Yet we think that the coronavirus pandemic and the economic and social crises offer Europe the extraordinary opportunity to decide between advancing towards a stronger unity, or falling into a decline with no return. This will depend in the decisions governments, the European Council and the EU institutions will take; but also, and mostly, of the passionate and competent mobilisation of citizens, public opinion and each member state.

Originally published (in French) by the newspaper Le Soir

Photo © European Union, 2020 (Ursula von der Leyen, from behind, and Ilze Juhansone, Secretary-General of the EC, during the video conference with European Council members 03/26/2020)