Relaunching the European project : reforms without changing the treaties

Abstract

The European project is going through an unprecedented crisis. A large part of public opinion is seeing the European Union more as the problem than the solution. The business as usual approach is not a guarantee of survival. This work stems from the necessity of a radical and urgent change of the European Union. It suggests reforms to rebuild a new credibility for public opinion. The reforms proposed, framed by the lessons learned from the past, can be achieved without changing the Treaties. This work highlights also how the momentum for reform is favourable to shape the new Europe for the next decade, but the new Europe will not happen without a strong political leadership and more involvement of the public opinion.