Crises Shape Europe

Europe has been in crisis management mode for a decade and a half: The global financial crisis (2008/09) was followed by the Euro crisis (2010–2012), the refugee and migration crisis (2015/16), the steps towards Brexit (2016–2020), the worldwide Corona crisis from 2020, and finally Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine (2022). The subsequent energy crisis has sharpened awareness of the impending climate change. In the mirror of the crises, the commitment to a transnational European idea fluctuates, which for the future of the European Union (EU) allows for different development paths—from a “core union” reduced to a few members states up to forming a full political community by all members.