Challenges facing future development of the EU

Refugee crisis

In 2015 over 1 mil refugees entered the EU. Many countries acted independently, not in line with EU legislation to avoid overcrowding, e.g. Poland.

“Dublin Agreement”

The first state in which a person seeks asylum is responsible for them. This unfortunately led to strain on southern states like Spain and Italy due to the influx of refugees from Africa.

Germany and refugees 

Germany took more migrants than all other EU states combined. Since 2016, they refused to follow the Dublin Agreement towards Syrians. 

Halt in refugees 

EU Border and Coast Guard Agency blocked migrant routes yet figure still rose by 20%

“Schegen Agreement”

Agrees to an open-border policy between EU states and citizens. Threatened by refugee crisis as some countries established temporary internal borders, e.g. Austria. Division is plausible from this.

Eurosceptics

Led to an increase in eurosceptics, someone opposed to the EU or believes they handle issues incorrectly.

Problem 2 

EU Enlargement 

Countries applying

Albania, Turkey, although leads to larger market, impact on country funding. Most applicants are less economically developed.

Investment in applicant states

EU structural and cohesion funds must invest in these applicant countries, taking money from other members/developments. Concerns that the EU cannot afford EU enlargement.

Eu Enlargement on emigration 

Out migrantion will occur from applicant states to developed states in search of better quality of life.

Problem three

EU common laws on sovereignty

Common laws

Tax Rates, environmental policies.

Vetoing 

Previous power to veto laws, reduced power since Single European act. Impacts largely nationalist states, e.g. France, Ireland.