Today is a crucial day, not just for Britain, but for Europe as a whole. The referendum on whether to remain or leave the EU is a turning point for both the UK and the course of European integration as a whole. Whatever the result, which appears to be close, the next day will be different for Europe and Britain.
More so in the case of a Brexit vote, in which case everyone will be in uncharted waters. European integration has moved along through conflicts, crises and confrontations, with a dominant political will to overcome the contrast, divisions and bloodshed, above all, from the past. Despite the major strides that have been made, this vision of a people’s Europe seems to have faded.
The financial crisis, leaders who cannot rise up to the challenges and the climate of xenophobia and nationalist resurgence that is spreading from country to country has lead the European experiment to stagnation. Euroscepticism is constantly growing, populist movements and slogans are increasingly becoming appealing, while the bureaucracy in Brussels and European establishment is being picked out.
The British referendum is the culmination of all of these developments. A conservative Prime Minister opened a can of worms in an effort to address inter-party conflicts and the right-wing populism that was spreading, in on order to win the elections. Now, with a society divided and split in two, as the polls suggest, he is called upon to decide about the country’s future with visions from the past.
Europe obviously requires fundamental changes to move forward. The leaders must demonstrate that they continue to be inspired by the vision of integration, that their first concern is the people who are struggling and not the market interests. The solution to these problems though cannot be a return to national or nationalist entrenchment, closing borders and setting limitations on the people’s movement.
The solution is for Europe to be come more efficient, more social, more competitive and innovative. In a world with globalized markets and businesses, no state, however powerful, can do better on its own. Despite the undeniable financial achievements and in spite of its problems, the European Union remains an oasis of democracy and securing civil and human rights. This is the Europe that we must safeguard, while changing everything that is dragging us back and securing our common future.
TO VIMA
