European Integration at a Crossroads

As of 2024, the European Union faces several significant challenges shaping its political and economic landscape. The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has left unresolved issues concerning energy security, economic stagnation, and inflation. The conflict between Israel, Hamas, and its neighbors has further divided the European continent, raising questions about EU values. These values are also salient as the rise of far-right populism has brought migration topics to the forefront of the political agenda in most European capitals. In addition, massive electoral gains by far-right parties have prompted early forecasts about what might happen if the far-right were to govern the EU. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of the rapid digital transformation, where the issue of European technological sovereignty becomes increasingly prominent. The manifestations of some of these challenges have been so prolonged and recurring that they raise the question of whether they represent systemic flaws that threaten the long-term prospects of European integration. At the same time, we have witnessed renewed momentum for integration along Europe's borders, with Moldova voting "Yes" in a referendum on EU membership, and strong pro-European movements emerging in other regions, such as Georgia. As the Russian invasion enters its third year, peace talks and the question of a future European security order are becoming an increasingly salient topic, which must be considered in the context of the shifting geopolitical and geoeconomic environment. While transatlantic relations have improved under the Biden presidency, the future of US involvement will only be clearer after the November 2024 elections. With these external challenges raising questions about the EU’s regulatory and soft power, new narratives have emerged around the need to promote strategic autonomy and build a more geopolitical Union. We would like to request a total of 12 panels for this event. Currently, we have identified themes for 10 of these panels: - The rise of the far-right and its influence on European politics (Chair: Adam Holesch) - EU responses to Russia’s war against Ukraine (Chair: Adam Holesch) - Challenges to EU rule of law and democracy (Chair: Adam Holesch) - Digital transformation and technological sovereignty (Chair: Christian Freudlsperger) - Migration and the European Union (Chair: Federica Zardo) - EU policies and climate emergency (Chair: Federica Zardo) - The EU’s role as a global player in a more contested world (Chair: Christian Freudlsperger) - Communicating European integration to citizens (Chair: tba) - The Foreign Policy of the EU (Chair: Martijn Vlaskamp) - EU's energy and raw material policy (Chair: Martijn Vlaskamp) We would welcome another panel suggestions, that address current challenges to European integration, and/or general themes relating to executive, legislative or judicial politics in the EU institutions. In general, preference will be given to fully formed panels (including chair and discussant) that bring together participants from different institutions and/or countries.