A New European Political Community: The British Perspective

Summary:

After a long and hot summer which has witnessed widespread heatwaves across the European continent, European political leaders will likely welcome the cool autumn breeze but not the advancing rumble of thunder that is the politics of EU enlargement and possible treaty change to accompany institutional reform. The upcoming State of the Union address scheduled for 14 September and the succession of Liz Truss as UK Prime Minister looks set to be a potential turning point in EU relations.

But will the EU grasp it? Could a new intergovernmental political forum (European Political Community - EPC) – acting alongside EU enlargement – ease the tension of EU treaty change? Such a forum might bridge the potential role prospective EU member states in Eastern Europe could play before formally joining and the necessity of forging a constructive post-Brexit relationship with the United Kingdom. It could resolve political and constitutional concerns.