Europe's crises and the EU's 'big three'

Abstract

This article examines the impact and significance of the Crimea-Ukraine-Russia and the eurozone crises on relations among and between the EU’s three biggest member states - Britain, France and Germany - as well as their individual influence and roles within the EU. The Ukraine and eurozone crises have revealed and intensified three longer-term developments in contemporary European politics: Germany's rise as the EU's most powerful member state and its role as Europe's indispensable policy broker; the resilience and centrality of Franco-German bilateralism, despite the growing power imbalance separating the two; and Britain's diminished and diminishing role in EU affairs. To put the current period of turmoil in perspective, this article also aims to contribute to a better understanding of the operating logic of crisis, continuity and change in the relations of the EU’s big three member states.