‘The European Union is in crisis’ is an often heard phrase these days. More than ever before, support for the European integration project seems to be under pressure. On June 23, the UK decided to leave the EU. At the same time it provides Europe the opportunity for a much needed debate on what kind of EU citizens and member states actually want. Is the UK unique? How does the population and the establishment in other member states view the EU and their country’s role in the future?
You'll find the different perspectives in this mattermap.
Support for the EU in Denmark, which like the UK is an ‘odd member’ due to its various ‘opt-outs’ of the EU treaties, has only risen until recent. It wishes a sober membership in an EU that focuses on liberalising its markets. For Poland membership entails existential security but it emphasises that the EU should learn how to handle European diversity. While Hungary is often portrayed as troublemaker, not a single political party in the country takes an exit from the EU serious. Its prime-minister Viktor Orbán is eager to showcase Central European interests however and rejects being patronized by older member states.