If the European Union does not undertake a concrete and effective re-launch within the next few months it will move towards irreversible decline. There is little time to avoid it. The reaction must be rapid and courageous.
Brexit was a heavy blow but the aftermath of the vote has produced some even more serious effects. The British decision, a consequence first and foremost of a British problem, has come to be seen as a Europe-wide rejection, with all the unfair and extremely damaging side-effects that brings.
The reaction of continental Europeans was one of division at the start followed by excessive passivity. As if ‘business as usual’ could be sufficient to manage an event of such historic importance.
Now we seem to be moving towards the Bratislava summit on September 16 in the dark and with our headlights off. As though we can permit the meeting to end with the usual formulations, ‘The European Council welcomes ...’, ‘The European Leaders encourage …’
