Europe must prepare for the worst

Europe faces a grave existential threat, not from external adversaries like Russia or China, but from within its own borders. As nationalist and illiberal forces gain strength ahead of elections in key member states, the very foundation of the European Union may be under assault. If these parties were to secure power, they could erode the EU's core values and hinder collective action necessary for the bloc's survival.

The liberal-democratic model of European integration, which has held for decades, now finds itself challenged by forces questioning the very logic of integration, including shared sovereignty and common rules. Rather than simply opposing EU policies, anti-European groups pose a direct threat to the bedrock principles of the union.

To confront this emerging crisis, supporters of the current EU form must devise new strategies and institutional arrangements. The assumption that member states will continue to commit to the EU's success, despite crises, no longer holds true. Europe's far-right and populist movements have evolved beyond mere opposition, now actively seeking to dismantle or exit the bloc.