3rd Annual GPPF Chania Forum 2014: Executive Summary

Europe in Flux: 

Secessionism, Ideological Polarisation, 

and  the Emerging Institutional Design of the EU

26-27 September 2014

Kiani Beach Resort

Chania, Crete

Greece

Executive Summary of the 3rd Annual GPPF Chania Forum

The Greek Public Policy Forum organised its 3rd Annual GPPF Chania Forum, titled “Europe in Flux: Secessionism, Ideological Polarisation, and the Emerging Institutional Design of the EU”, on September 26 and 27 at the Κiani Beach Resort in Chania, Crete. The event took place thanks to the kind sponsorship of Decidendi Consultants, Europe Direct Region of Crete, and the solar systems company CALPAK S.A.. We also wish to thank the ELIAMEP Crisis Observatory, the Hellenic Alumni Association of the London School of Economic, and the Economic Chamber of Greece (Department of Western Crete) for their support.

The Past, Present and Future of the European Union

The edifice of the European Union (EU) has been built on the basis of equilibrium between intergovernmental co-operation and supranationalism. In other words, the fathers of Europe wanted to attain integration through the institution of organs which would be representative of the two currents: institutions with an intergovernmental character, through which the voice of the Member-States could be heard, and institutions with a supranational character, which would represent Europe, as a potentially integrated entity, with its own interests and expectations. In the first category, the central institution is the Council of Ministers, which functions with the presence of national Ministers, depending on the subject-matter of the agenda, while in the second category the main organs are the Commission and the European Parliament. The Courts, finally, settle disputes in a spirit of supranationalism, and in this direction they have offered their good offices to integration.

2nd Annual GPPF Chania Forum 2013: Executive Summary

“‘Muddling Through’ or ‘Breaking Through’? 

New Challenges for the European Project”

2nd Annual GPPF Chania Forum, 27-28 September 2013

Executive Summary

The Greek Public Policy Forum organized the 2nd Annual Chania Forum 2013 titled “‘Muddling Through’ or ‘Breaking Through’? New Challenges for the European Project” on September 27 and 28 at the Kiani Beach Resort in Chania, Crete. The Forum was kindly sponsored by Decidenci Consultants, the Regional Development Fund of Crete – Region of Crete, Europe Direct Region of Crete, CALPAK S.A, and the E. Apostolopoulos Law Firm. The two-day event was further supported by the ELIAMEP Crisis Observatory, the Hellenic Alumni Association of the London School of Economics, and the Economic Chamber of Greece (Department of Western Crete).

Combatting Populism in Europe: Could the UK Be the Exception that Proves the Rule

We are kidding ourselves if we think that Europe’s ‘mainstream’ political parties can get together to tackle their populist and extremist challengers.  The reason is simple: the implications of populist radical right success are not the same for the centre-right as they are for the centre-left.  Interestingly, one of the exceptions to this rule could be the UK, although whether or not the Conservative and Labour Parties realise this – especially given the quality of the immigration debate in the country’s print media – is a moot point.

Becoming True European Citizens: The Only Way out of the Crisis (and beyond)?

Citizens of the European Member States seem to be resorting back to Euroscepticism and show clear signs of cold feet regarding the single market / single currency project (reality?). According to the December 2012 Eurobarometer, 40% of the population of the EU Member States is against the European economic and monetary union with a single currency (with an additional 7% showing scepticism or, simply, lack of knowledge about the project).

Source: Standard Eurobarometer 78, December 2012, p. 16.