The ambiguous future of European Union

By Hanif Ghafari

TEHRAN - Economic, security, social and political crises in Europe continue. On the other hand, the next four months will be the European Parliamentary elections: elections that are expected to be successful in those nationalist and extremist groups.

 Under these circumstances, the "future of the European Union" has no clear prospect! Many analysts and experts in the field of international relations are cautious about the political existence of the European Union and the Eurozone.

Meanwhile, the political situation of European leaders is not clear. What is happening today in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom reflects this fact. Although French President Emmanuel Macron has withdrawn from the fuel tax laws, the "Yellow Vests" continue to follow their demands of the Elysees Palace, taking out to the streets of Paris and other cities. Indeed, what is happening in Europe? Is "the collapse of United Europe" still an "abstract idea"? Or has it become an "objective reality" under the influence of past years' events in Europe? In this regard, there are some points that should be taken into consideration: 

1-As emphasized at the beginning of this note, The European Union is now under a critical pressure! The constant political, social and security crises have raised the vulnerability of this block. On the other hand, European leaders have clearly lost control over issues such as "Brexit" and "European economic crisis". It shouldn't be forgotten that ten years of austerity policies and a reduction in the general budgets of the Eurozone member states had bad results for the European citizens, and the signs of the economic crisis can be still seen throughout Europe.

2-Many European leaders feel incapable of solving existing crises. It should be noted that EU leaders like Merkel and Macron do not have a common understanding of what is going on in this series! On the other hand, if the nationalist and anti-European parties achieve absolute or relative victory in the 2019 European Parliamentary elections, the situation in the European Union and the eurozone will become harder.

Eu is faced with a serious problem called the growth of nationalism and Right extremism. These anti-immigration movements, which, after the failure of European governments to resolve the economic crisis as well as the imminent crisis of immigration in 2015, have gained a lot of supporters, are planning to conquer the European Parliament and government, and then put an end to the "United Europe" and its symbols such as "the Euro currency" and "Schengen Agreement.

At the moment, EU leaders are worried about the outcome of this year's parliamentary elections.

 In the 2014 parliamentary elections, more than 100 nationalist and far-right extremists managed to find the way to the European Parliament. This time, nationalists may win even more seats in the European Parliament. In this case, the social and political power of nationalist and anti-immigration movements in Europe will be increased. Consequently, the existence of United Europe's foundation will be directly targeted. This is a threat that has already shadowed Brussels (the headquarters of the European Union).
Finally, the fate of the European Union and the Eurozone are tied to the European Parliamentary elections. Will these elections mean the revival of the European Union or the beginning of its collapse? The answer to this question will be determined in the near future.