The European Union is a link between countries based on the common market and the free movement of goods and services. Integration is extensive enough to talk about more than an international organisation. However, this does not mean that there are no differences of opinion on the cooperation model. The financial crisis with 2008 and the following vision of bankruptcy in the south of Europe has raised new questions about closer integration, especially among the Eurozone countries.
Reaching a common position in practice can be difficult. In the countries of the single European currency, as in the world, you can see a division into the rich North and the poorer South. A representative of the French equivalent of the NBP expressed the opinion that the time for reform is now and that much progress is not seen.
Lessons from the crisis
The financial crisis ended well a few years ago. The positive economic situation can now put a low profile. Economic laws are inexorable. After years of growth, there must eventually be a recession. The only question is when.
The European Union authorities could set up mechanisms to cushion future economic crises both at Community level and at the euro area level. This is not easy because it requires a very broad compromise. The richer countries in the northern regions of the EU have some concerns that closer cooperation will lead to financing the debt of the poorer south. The growing success of populist parties in different regions of Europe is also not facilitated by a broad agreement.
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The financial crisis in the US is primarily associated with mortgages that were massively granted to people without sufficient creditworthiness. In Europe, individual countries have suffered to varying degrees. The greatest difficulties have been encountered by over-debted Mediterranean countries, and Greece in particular.
The Athens drama was an impetus for a pan-European debate on the possibility of imposing tighter monetary policy rules that individual Member States would have to comply with. EU countries are sovereign and can decide their own economy. However, irresponsibility may result in costs for the whole community.
Enthusiasm and scepticism
one of the greatest enthusiasts of deepening European integration is French President Emmanuel Macron. His vision includes the appointment of a joint finance minister for all countries that have adopted the euro. Other proposals by supporters of closer cooperation assume a greater degree of interstate "risk sharing". In this regard, resistance from both the rich European North and populist parties from the various regions can be encountered.
European Union is one of the world's largest economies. Unlike the competitive US and China, there is considerable political differentiation, depending on the region. European leaders should find a solution that respects separateness and at the same time ensures a certain level of security. Otherwise, the next crisis may be as aggravating as the previous one.