How a Continent Became a Union
Panel discussion and book presentation
Luuk van Middelaar
Professor of Foundations and Practice of the European Union and its Institutions, Leiden University;
formerly advisor and chief speechwriter to European Council President Herman Van Rompuy (2010-2014)
Daniela Schwarzer
Director, Research Institute, DGAP
Euro crisis, refugees, Brexit: The EU appears to have reached a historic crossroads. After decades of forging what seemed to be an “ever closer union,” the logic of integration is now being challenged in fundamental ways. In his thought-provoking book, now available in German, Luuk van Middelaar reminds us of the European project’s uniqueness and argues inter alia that if the aim is to forge a real connection to citizens, it’s important to recognize that the European game doesn’t start in Brussels – governments, parliaments, judiciaries, and citizens all take part in European politics. Europe can only be built with its people, not without.
The discussion will be held in English and moderated by Henning Hoff, Executive Editor, BERLIN POLICY JOURNAL.