All those involved in the continent’s economic and social life have realised that most of the issues our countries face can now only be resolved in coordination with – or even in agreement with – our neighbours and partners.
Entrepreneurs, trade unionists, military personnel, diplomats and NGOs have all embraced this necessary European dimension in the face of ‘continent-states’ and have embedded their activities within all manner of partnerships.
Abroad, our neighbours are signing an increasing number of agreements with the European Union, often without fully committing to them.
Switzerland, landlocked within the Union, applies almost all its rules, including those of Schengen.
Iceland, which does not wish to join the EU, applies most of its rules, as does Norway, which even pays for the privilege.
The United Kingdom is trying by every means to soften its exit from the EU by negotiating agreements to bring itself closer to it.
All prefer to apply rules they had no part in drawing up, keeping their distance from institutions that would have given them a say, in the name of sovereignty!
One might conclude that the European dimension has established itself as a matter of course… except amongst politicians.
Left behind, lacking the courage to face up to the reality of diminished national powers, political leaders still advocate for 19th-century sovereignty rather than recognising its contemporary relativity and exploring new areas of it for the 21st century.
Extremist parties have thus found in the European Union a convenient scapegoat for the outdated expression of their national-populism, until the day they come to power.
Moderates lack the courage to explain supranationalism, either because they do not truly understand it or because they fear it. Yet it would guarantee greater respect for national identities, which is what citizens want.
Everyone on our borders wants to align themselves with the European Union.
Everyone inside has realised that this is an unavoidable reality.
It is now up to our politicians to embrace it as a democratic imperative.
Will the 11 elections across Europe in 2027 provide the opportunity to do so?
