Resistances to a Federal Union: Euroscepticism in Times of Crisis

Abstract

With the current debates on the Eurozone crisis, we are witnessing the resurgence of the federal perspective on European integration, as a way out of the crisis. At the same time, it also engenders, among political actors, the media and citizens, various types of resistances to a federal Union. What can be seen as an existential crisis seems to reinforce eurosceptic parties and generate new reactions towards Europe. Indeed, eurosceptic and radical parties were quite successful at the last EP elections and the current economic and financial crisis triggers new forms of contestation and anti-European attitudes. The range of responses to the EU and the European project may thus have become even more complex and multifaceted. In this context of crisis, it is important to consider the resistances engendered by the integration process at both the national and supranational level as well as among political parties, leaders, public opinion and the media. This panel proposes to grasp the complexity and diversity of oppositions towards a federal Europe and to reflect on the extent to which euroscepticism has become an embedded part of the integration process. We welcome papers on resistances to a federal Europe among political parties, citizens, the media or institutional actors, both at the national and supranational levels. Papers can be comparative or case-studies. We would be particularly interested in papers dealing with the impact of the current Eurozone crisis on euroscepticism.

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