Europe must prepare for the worst

Brussels is sounding the alarm, warning that the greatest threat to the European Union may not come from external forces, but rather from within the bloc itself. This emerging scenario is growing more likely as illiberal, nationalist parties gain strength ahead of upcoming elections in Spain, France, Poland, and various German states. If these parties were to seize power, they could weaken the EU from the inside, eroding its core values and impeding collective action.

Promoters of the current liberal-democratic form of the bloc must acknowledge the mounting danger and devise new political strategies, as well as reconsider institutional arrangements. For generations, European integration has been predicated on the belief that, despite frequent crises, member states remained committed to the EU's survival and prosperity.

However, this assumption is now in doubt. Anti-European forces no longer pose a threat solely to EU policies; they challenge the very foundation of integration, including shared sovereignty and common rules.

Rather than seeking dissolution or exit from the bloc, Europe's far-right and populist factions have shifted their focus to a different approach. It is crucial for supporters of the EU to recognize the gathering storm and take proactive measures to counter the growing influence of these anti-European forces.