A Test of Times – Permachange through enlargement and EU reform

Описание: 29 April 2025
Democracy Reform Conversation

Speakers: Berta López Domènech, Policy Analyst in the European Politics and Institutions Programme, European Policy Centre; Corina Stratulat, Associate Director and Head of the European Politics and Institutions Programme, European Policy Centre; Janis Emmanouilidis, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Studies, European Policy Centre; Johannes Greubel, Senior Policy Analyst, Head of Programme and ‘Connecting Europe’ Project Lead, European Policy Centre

Moderator: Jacki Davis, Senior Adviser, European Policy Centre

The EU has entered an era of consecutive and compounding crises (permacrisis) that puts its agility to the test. To stay relevant both within Europe and globally, the EU27 must adopt a mindset of 'permachange': A continuous process of adaptation in the face of ongoing transformative crises. In the coming years, the enlargement and reform imperatives will serve as defining arena for the EU and its members.

Like the two strands of the Union’s DNA, enlargement and internal EU reform are necessary and should be thought together. To make good on its membership promise to the current candidates, the Union must adapt its operating system. To make its governance fit for the future, the EU should ‘think enlarged’, towards a Union of 30+ members. EUrope must pass the test of times, taking on both enlargement and internal reform with courage and ambition. Its own relevance and survival are at stake. History is calling, but will Europeans come to the rendez-vous?

This Democracy Reform Conversation presented and discussed the publication “A Test of Times – Permachange through enlargement and EU reform”, which seeks to inspire, promote and link the debates on how to widen and deepen European integration.

This online event took place in the context of the EU Democracy Reform Observatory which aims to foster the discussion on the overall future of the European integration process.