Re-energising Europe - A package deal for the EU27

The EU27 should exploit the current window of opportunity to overcome deadlocks by agreeing on an ambitious but realistic win-win package deal. There is no time to lose and the third NPE report, which is the culmination of five years of work reflecting more than 120 national and transnational debates in a majority of member states, not only argues that this is possible, it actually presents the overall logic, direction and potential ingredients of a bargain reflecting the interests, concerns and aspirations of different camps within and between member states. The comprehensive package deal elaborated in this report, which covers the economic, the migration as well as the security dimension of a bargain, could help guide an inclusive Franco-German initiative, which must consider the views of other member states, and spark national and transnational political debates about the future of Europe based on tangible proposals rather than on a vague exchange of views about ‘more or less’ Europe. If the EU27 have the political will and courage to adopt a package deal they could re-energise the EU and strengthen its ability to protect its members and citizens from future storms. Without the will to put aside taboos and red lines, nothing substantial will be achieved, much to the delight of Eurosceptic forces who will cheer and attract even more support among disillusioned citizens. Now is the time for Europeans to show leadership and future historians will be there to judge us.