2017 will be politcally challenging for the EU, whose future has not to be given for granted. Euroskepticism in France, Brexit and Trump could shout down the single project
by Emanuele Bonini
The year just begun could be one of the most challenging in the recent contemporary history of Europe. A lot of sensitive dossiers are still in search for an adoption, and new question marks will come from the various national elections that will be held all across Europe, as well as from the political choices taken outside the continent, above all on the other side of the Atlantic. The new US administration will be not an easy task for the EU, whose future is more unpredictable in light of the raise of euroskepticism. France and the Netherlands, amongst the six nations who promoted the European integration, could choose the national option, giving the coup de grâce to Europe already in troubles after the British farewell. Here we have the 2017 political calendar of the EU, with all the key dates already scheduled:
January the 1st. The first ever Maltese rotating presidency of the Council of the EU begins. There are those who consider a small country like Malta exposed to the pressure of bigger countries, with all the possible consequences for the European dossiers. We will see.
January the 17th. The European Parliament is expected to elect the new president. In pole positions are Gianni Pittella (S&D) and Antonio Tajani (EPP), both Italians.
January the 20th. Donal Trump will officially assume the presidency of the United States of America. The EU was scared about Trump's personal attitude in dealing with European affairs and the transatlantic relations. Starting from this day, everything will start to become clear.
March the 15th. General elections are held in the Netherlands. This is perhaps the first political test for the future of the European Union, since one of the EU founder Member States is exposed to the risk of a victory by a euroskeptic party. Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid – PVV) could control the national parliament or influence its activity. A problem, considering that international agreements as well as EU agreements need the approval and the ratification of national Parliaments.
March the 25th. It's the anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome, by which the EEC was established in 1957. Italy will host the meeting, with the aim of relaunching the EU project.
March, date to be determined. The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, promised to activate the UK withdrawal from the EU by March 2017. All the other 27 leaders of the Member States expect the beginning of Brexit as scheduled.
April the 23rd. First round of the French presidential elections. Perhaps the true key moment for Europe. Another EU founder Member State could embrace the path of euroskepticism. Marine Le Pen is running for the presidency and she could get the final victory.
May the 7th. Second round of the French presidential elections. In case no candidate had to win at the first round, a second ballot will be needed. It is scheduled in this day.
June the 11th. Legislative elections are held in France, where voters are called to renew the National Assembly, the upper chamber of the French Parliament. Marine Le Pen's Front National (FN) could control the parliamentary branch or influence its activity with all the implications in EU perspective.
July the 1st. The first ever Estonian rotating presidency of the Council of the EU will start. One forth of the Estonian national population is composed by Russians (25%). Because of the ethnic composition Estonia could keep forward a less anti-Russia policy.
September, date still to be determined. Federal elections are held in Germany. The most important country of the EU will decide between the end of Angela Merkel's leadership or a continuation. Focus will be on the euroskeptic party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), whose consensus is considered growing.
October, date to be determined. Legislative elections are held in the Czech Republic. Andrej Babis, current minister of Finance, is considered to be the possibile final winner of the elections. Businessman and entrepreneur, Babis' nickname is "the Silvio Berlusconi of the Czech Republic". Even if officially he is a pro-European, Babis is not a convinced supporter of the introduction of the single currency in the country and he is against any idea of further political integration at EU level.
by Emanuele Bonini
The year just begun could be one of the most challenging in the recent contemporary history of Europe. A lot of sensitive dossiers are still in search for an adoption, and new question marks will come from the various national elections that will be held all across Europe, as well as from the political choices taken outside the continent, above all on the other side of the Atlantic. The new US administration will be not an easy task for the EU, whose future is more unpredictable in light of the raise of euroskepticism. France and the Netherlands, amongst the six nations who promoted the European integration, could choose the national option, giving the coup de grâce to Europe already in troubles after the British farewell. Here we have the 2017 political calendar of the EU, with all the key dates already scheduled:
January the 1st. The first ever Maltese rotating presidency of the Council of the EU begins. There are those who consider a small country like Malta exposed to the pressure of bigger countries, with all the possible consequences for the European dossiers. We will see.
January the 17th. The European Parliament is expected to elect the new president. In pole positions are Gianni Pittella (S&D) and Antonio Tajani (EPP), both Italians.
January the 20th. Donal Trump will officially assume the presidency of the United States of America. The EU was scared about Trump's personal attitude in dealing with European affairs and the transatlantic relations. Starting from this day, everything will start to become clear.
March the 15th. General elections are held in the Netherlands. This is perhaps the first political test for the future of the European Union, since one of the EU founder Member States is exposed to the risk of a victory by a euroskeptic party. Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom (Partij voor de Vrijheid – PVV) could control the national parliament or influence its activity. A problem, considering that international agreements as well as EU agreements need the approval and the ratification of national Parliaments.
March the 25th. It's the anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome, by which the EEC was established in 1957. Italy will host the meeting, with the aim of relaunching the EU project.
March, date to be determined. The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, promised to activate the UK withdrawal from the EU by March 2017. All the other 27 leaders of the Member States expect the beginning of Brexit as scheduled.
April the 23rd. First round of the French presidential elections. Perhaps the true key moment for Europe. Another EU founder Member State could embrace the path of euroskepticism. Marine Le Pen is running for the presidency and she could get the final victory.
May the 7th. Second round of the French presidential elections. In case no candidate had to win at the first round, a second ballot will be needed. It is scheduled in this day.
June the 11th. Legislative elections are held in France, where voters are called to renew the National Assembly, the upper chamber of the French Parliament. Marine Le Pen's Front National (FN) could control the parliamentary branch or influence its activity with all the implications in EU perspective.
July the 1st. The first ever Estonian rotating presidency of the Council of the EU will start. One forth of the Estonian national population is composed by Russians (25%). Because of the ethnic composition Estonia could keep forward a less anti-Russia policy.
September, date still to be determined. Federal elections are held in Germany. The most important country of the EU will decide between the end of Angela Merkel's leadership or a continuation. Focus will be on the euroskeptic party Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), whose consensus is considered growing.
October, date to be determined. Legislative elections are held in the Czech Republic. Andrej Babis, current minister of Finance, is considered to be the possibile final winner of the elections. Businessman and entrepreneur, Babis' nickname is "the Silvio Berlusconi of the Czech Republic". Even if officially he is a pro-European, Babis is not a convinced supporter of the introduction of the single currency in the country and he is against any idea of further political integration at EU level.
No comments:
Post a Comment