Perspectives on the Future of the European Union through the prism of new multi-crisis episodes

The creation of the European Union took place in the favorable context of the post-Cold War era. Initially focused on economic matters, this construction expanded beyond this domain since the Maastricht Treaty -1992- and the Treaty of Lisbon -2009-, now covering all aspects of the societies of the Member States. The ideals of a single market, promoting the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital, notably facilitated the construction of European citizenship – Art. 9 TEU & Art.20 TFEU – which leads citizens to vote on June 9 for one of the major institutions of the EU, namely the European Parliament. The establishment of the single market has progressively given Community law predominance over the national law of the Member States, which means that national policies must be aligned not only with the ideals and principles of the European Union, but also with its concrete policies, which are guided by an extensive institutional apparatus. The European Commission plays a central role in policy development by proposing legislative initiatives and ensuring that the policies adopted are implemented. The Council of the European Union, made up of the ministers of the Member States, adopts legislative acts in collaboration with the European Parliament, which represents the citizens of the Union. In this sense, the European Parliament is the main means of support or contestation for the peoples of the Member States, and the vote on Sunday 9 June takes place in a particular context of multiple crises that the European Union must and will have to face; Maintaining the ideals of the European Union depends on the political will of its constituent peoples. This political will is essential because it gives colour and meaning to the European Parliament. This is why certain political groups in the Member States, notably the extreme right under the banner of the "Identity and Democracy" group, are openly opposed to the very existence of the European Union. If these groups were to win a majority at the next elections, they could oppose the condemnation of certain Member States through the procedures provided for in Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, which could compromise the European Union's ability to protect its fundamental values and principles. However, this work by the European Union is necessary because some States are adopting worrying policies. For example, concerns have been expressed about judicial and constitutional reforms in Poland, which are seen as threatening the independence of the judiciary and fundamental rights, fuelling wider concerns about respect for the rule of law and democratic principles. Similarly, Hungarian policies towards minorities, in particular the Roma community, and laws restricting the rights of migrants and refugees have raised concerns. The European Union must be able to respond effectively to the economic challenges posed by crises such as the eurozone sovereign debt crisis - 2010 - in the wake of the global financial crisis - 2008 -, the Covid 19 pandemic - 2020 - and the consequences of the war in Ukraine - 2014 & 2022-. These events have clearly demonstrated the need for strong coordination and action at European level to ensure economic stability and resistance to external shocks. In this context, the political proposal put forward by the peoples of the Member States must be geared towards a long-term economic vision, whether liberal or social. It is therefore necessary to consider the direct impacts of these policies, particularly in a context where some Member States are facing a significant increase in poverty. In France, for example, 9.1 million people will be living below the poverty line in 2021, which represents a sharp increase over the last twenty years. Another relevant example is Greece, where the social consequences of the restrictive economic policies implemented by the ECB persist. However, it should not be forgotten that this political proposal comes at a time when the financial stability of the European Union is being called into question by the growing sovereign debt crises. The current challenges facing the European Union underline the importance of a renewed commitment to a united and cohesive Europe, capable of meeting the complex challenges of our time while preserving its fundamental values and principles. In the face of events such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in Palestine, the forthcoming elections offer EU citizens a crucial opportunity to shape the future of their Union. These elections will define a clear vision and concrete positions on these contemporary issues, strengthening the EU's resilience in the face of future social, economic and geopolitical challenges.

Vicente Guillon Guzman Cala