Do we still need the European Union today?
Discussing Europe is back this month with a discussion on whether the European Union is still relevant today. The financial crisis has weakened the EU economy and undermined the belief in the Eurozone. Millions of migrants and refugees are at the EU's doorstep and the security situation in neighbouring regions is continuously deteriorating. European citizens are turning towards radical political parties and for the first time, we are facing the possibility of a Member State exiting the Union.
The current situation brings up a number of challenging questions. Do we need the Union in its current form? Is the current design of the EU capable of facing the numerous challenges both at home and abroad? What is the future of the EU? Is there a future for the Union at all?
The discussion took place on Wednesday 21 October 2015. Students presented the two opposite points of view before the floor was opened to everyone.
Interesting readings about the subject:
The speech of Mr Alexander STUBB at the Opening Ceremony.
The speech of the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, at Humboldt University in Berlin.
Articles on Brexit: Politico; The Economist; LSE.