(Re-)Building Coalitions: The Role and Potential of Member States in Shaping the Future of the EU

Abstract

Reforming the EU is hardly possible without coalitions of "builders" - member states willing and able to engage in sustainable coalition building at EU level. Since 2008, the EU and its members have found themselves in the middle of yet another formative phase. Will member states eventually succeed in shaping a Union able to guarantee the prosperity, security, and freedom of its citizens? This publication explores new patterns of member state interaction that emerged during recent crises and proposes ideas for strengthening coalition building at the EU level to encourage a sustained effort for EU reform by policymakers across Europe.