In a world increasingly shaped by competition among major powers like the United States, China, or the BRICS, the European Union can no longer afford to hesitate about which path to take.
The new multipolar context, now disrupted by unpredictable policies such as those ushered in by the Trump II era and the rise of the new “masters of information” (or disinformation), underscores the importance—and indeed the necessity—of a united Europe. A Europe capable of defending its interests and values in an increasingly fragmented and hostile international arena to ensure prosperity, freedom, and peace for its citizens. The sustainability of the current welfare model, despite existing inequalities, depends largely on this.
The new global context is multipolar, and no one will wait for old Europe to decide its path. The scenario demands that the EU position itself with greater coherence and assertiveness to avoid being trapped between what it once was and what it is not allowed to be, while maintaining its role as a relevant and independent actor.
Projects such as the Capital Markets Union and the Investment and Savings Union, driven by the Letta and Draghi Reports to maximize the potential of the European market, exemplify how Europe seeks to strengthen its competitiveness and autonomy. These initiatives, alongside the push for reindustrialization based on the concept of strategic autonomy, highlight efforts to turn the continental scale into an economic and geopolitical engine. Moreover, the EU continues to excel in areas such as trade and combating climate change, remaining a beacon of multilateral cooperation and a defender of human rights, offering an alternative to the unilateral—and increasingly authoritarian—policies of other powers.
However, this optimistic vision of the EU as a stabilizing force and protagonist in the new international order is not without risks. Positions that question the foundations of European integration and aim to diminish its capacity are not just threats but realities. A recent example is Giorgia Meloni’s presence at the U.S. presidential inauguration in Washington.
Governments that prioritize their national agendas over the common European project are already coordinating their efforts. They aim to—and can—block key initiatives, undermining the EU's ability to act with coherence and strength on the global stage. Moreover, they have the overt support of the new American administration and the still covert backing of the Russian government.
These nationalist attitudes not only threaten internal unity but also offer geopolitical rivals an opportunity to weaken Europe from within. If solidarity and cooperation among member states fracture, a united Europe could be reduced to a mere association of commercial interests, losing its influence in major global debates and its ability to respond to European citizens' demands.
In response to the nationalist impulse, the strategy must be a stronger Union—not only economically but also socially and democratically. The EU cannot be limited to a single market; it must become a community where economic and technological progress is shared equitably among citizens, embracing the principle of leaving no one behind.
This implies not only strengthening the economic, industrial, or financial dimensions of the Union but also reinforcing common social policies: greater labor protection, effective action against inequalities, and investment in quality public services. It also calls for deeper democratization of European institutions, ensuring that actors such as cities and local entities take on a larger role and that citizens' voices have more impact on decisions affecting the continent as a whole.
