The Future of the European Union

No. 61 MAY 2016

How can the European Union (EU) emerge stronger from the current crisis? How has it changed over recent decades? What new processes and political dynamics became predominant due to the euro crisis? How can some of the impasses of European politics be overcome? This essay argues that in order to overcome current centrifugal trends, the EU will have to adapt in several respects. In order to address this complex issue, the first part analyses the development of the EU, showing the close interconnection between the integration process and the different explanations put forward by theories of European integration. In the second part, a number of political, institutional, economic and financial challenges are identified and the changes needed to overcome the crisis are envisaged. The third part focuses on Portugal’s relationship with the EU and presents some negotiating strategies so that Portugal can influence the EU’s transformation process.