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Discussion: Is The European Union Over?
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 8,420
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Is The European Union Over?
Over the last week, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) enjoyed success in the UK local elections and in the European elections. For those not familiar, UKIP is trying to remove the United Kingdom from the European Union.
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With only Northern Ireland left to declare, UKIP has 24 MEPs, up 11 since 2009, including its first MEP in Scotland.
Labour has 20 seats and the Tories 19 seats in Brussels, with Labour narrowly ahead on vote share - 25.4 per cent to 23.93 per cent.
Support for Ukip has surged by more than 12 per cent, outstripping a more modest boost in votes for Labour, while the Lib Dems faced near-wipeout, slipping into fifth place behind the Greens.
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The Lib Dems are the only party committed to remaining in the EU, but have suffered as they now only have 1 seat remaining and their leader is facing calls to resign.
The Conservatives have promised a 2017 referendum on EU membership due to dissatisfaction with immigration laws and the EU's unending interference in our legal system. Prime Minister David Cameron has described the people of the UK as "deeply disillusioned with the EU". The EU has blocked various attempts by the UK Courts to deport known terrorists and has allowed the terrorists to appeal numerous times, forcing the UK Government to pay for their appeals.
Similar revolts have emerged throughout Europe, in France, the Netherlands (Dutch Freedom Party) and Greece (Syriza movement):
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French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called the breakthrough by Marine Le Pen's anti-immigration, anti-euro National Front, which topped a national vote for the first time and pushed his Socialists into third place, a political "earthquake".
He sought to counter her immediately by offering more tax cuts to spur an economy which is flatlining.
Across the Channel, another tremor raised new doubts about Britain's long-term future in the EU. Nigel Farage's UK Independence Party, which advocates immediate withdrawal, defeated the opposition Labour party and Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives.
The anti-EU vote was amplified in many countries by a low turnout of just 43.1 percent, but the pro-European center ground held firm in Germany, the EU's biggest member state with the largest number of seats, as well as Italy and Spain.
France is one of the EU's founder members and the weakness of President Francois Hollande leaves German Chancellor Angela Merkel without a strong partner for the next leg of integration which economists say is vital to underpin the euro currency but which leaves voters cold.
"It will be more about pursuing policies that resonate with the people," Merkel said after her conservative bloc emerged as the strongest party grouping in Germany.
"They are less interested in the issue of whether there should be treaty change or not, but rather whether Europe is making a difference in their own lives," she added, noting high jobless rates in some countries had damaged trust in the EU.
A German-led drive to cut EU states' debts in response to the economic crisis which engulfed the bloc in 2010 is blamed by many for deepening recessions and delaying recovery.
Merkel called the far right and populist advances "remarkable and regrettable" and said France needed to focus on competitiveness, jobs and economic growth to overcome voters' disenchantment - a message echoed by French analysts.
"The legitimacy of Europe is weakened, the legitimacy of France in Europe is weakened further," said Dominique Moisi of the French Institute of International Relations.
"To function, Europe needs a strong balance between France and Germany. But France is moving the way of Italy or Greece in economic terms and moving the way of Britain in its relationship with Europe."
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What is important to note is how the UK people never actually voted to be in the EU - they only voted for a trade agreement with Europe. Now the EU are demanding billions of pounds for membership and redistributing the wealth of countries such as Germany, France and the UK to poor countries which they are admitting without proper checks (such as Romania). In addition, calls of corruption within the EU have been made as they regularly demand more money from member states to fill 'gaps' in spending - so much so that auditors have refused to sign off EU accounts for 12 years.
Do you think this is the end of the European Union now that its biggest players are rebuking it? Will we finally be freed from Brussel's bureaucratic rule (they make over half the laws of EU members)? We can only pray.
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Member Since: 1/4/2014
Posts: 3,513
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Don't think so, same happened in Belgium (in Flanders at least) but they are too scared to actually do something imo. But we'll have to wait and see. Either way don't really care, I'm sick of all this political nonsense. Belgium is spinning out of control and I couldn't care less, can't wait to get out of this hole.
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Member Since: 3/8/2014
Posts: 6,940
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I'm scared of the results.The right wing parties have won in many countries this year. I think that most people couldn't care less about the EU elections and don't even bother to vote 
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Member Since: 3/25/2012
Posts: 823
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Originally posted by MonsterPaw
I'm scared of the results.The right wing parties have won in many countries this year. I think that most people couldn't care less about the EU elections and don't even bother to vote |
In The Netherlands only 34% showed up this year
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 20,070
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I don't think it's over yet, but it will be in a not too distant future. A lot of countries are fed up with the EU, and while it won't go away completely, I'm sure the number of countries that are in it will be greatly reduced.
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Member Since: 9/1/2013
Posts: 4,003
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The issue isn't the EU the problem is in people's head at least that's the way I see it. The whole issue is revolving around immigration from the EU. Most people want the doors closed for whatever narrow minded reason. It makes me sad...
EDIT: Not so long ago our grandparents even had to ask permission in form of VISA that took sometimes months to get just to travel to a neighbouring country. Do we really want to go back there? I can't believe!!!
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Member Since: 3/8/2014
Posts: 6,940
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Originally posted by Hades
In The Netherlands only 34% showed up this year |
48% in Germany and the lowest % in Bavaria (where I live, the biggest state in Germany)
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Originally posted by Jicky
The issue isn't the EU the problem is in people's head at least that's the way I see it. The whole issue is revolving around immigration from the EU. Most people want the doors closed for whatever narrow minded reason. It makes me sad...
EDIT: Not so long ago our grandparents even had to ask permission in form of VISA that took sometimes months to get just to travel to neighbouring country. Do we really want to go back there? I can't believe!!!
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I agree with this. I'm scared about all the homophobic comments on some German online sites We have the AfD (Alternative for Germany Party) which isn't a right wing party but they want Germany out of the EU and they got a lot of votes this year.
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Member Since: 8/22/2011
Posts: 7,378
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Would that change anything tho? I mean It's not like the UK is a big contributer to EU anyway. 
The UK always acts so arrogant. Their Empire days are long gone. Get a grip on reality.
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 31,020
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It's inevitable tbh. The idea of free trade was good but as soon as they introduced euro it was bound to fall apart.
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 25,037
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Quote:
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Similar revolts have emerged throughout Europe, in France, the Netherlands (Dutch Freedom Party) and Greece (Syriza movement):
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In the Netherlands 2 pro-European parties won tho. The anti Europe party finished 3rd.
Hell no the EU ain't over. UKIP and the Danish anti-EU party refuse to collaborate with Marine Le Pen. The anti-EU parties are devided and having them in the EP is useless as ****.
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Member Since: 7/13/2010
Posts: 11,566
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The E.U. is designed to fail with so many members who have different wants and needs from the EU. France and the U.K., which keep the E.U. relevant economically and internationally, rightfully view the E.U. as a bad investment. The E.U. has disproportionally benefited certain countries while arguably diminishing the bargaining positions of France and the U.K. economically and militarily.
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Member Since: 9/1/2013
Posts: 4,003
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Originally posted by L/\DY G/\G/\
The E.U. is designed to fail with so many members who have different wants and needs from the EU. France and the U.K., which keep the E.U. relevant economically and internationally, rightfully view the E.U. as a bad investment. The E.U. has disproportionally benefited certain countries while arguably diminishing the bargaining positions of France and the U.K. economically and militarily.
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That makes no sense tbh...
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 8,420
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Originally posted by katara
Would that change anything tho? I mean It's not like the UK is a big contributer to EU anyway.
The UK always acts so arrogant. Their Empire days are long gone. Get a grip on reality. |
The EU doesn't mind taking our money tho.
And I think the reasons we aren't as involved are a) we're not even part of continental Europe and don't even share the same culture as most EU states and b) we get nothing out of the EU apart from being able to trade more easily (trade would still be possible even if we weren't part of the EU because of the commonwealth).
The only countries that gain anything from the EU really are the poorer countries.
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Member Since: 9/1/2013
Posts: 4,003
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Originally posted by RomanNavy
In the Netherlands 2 pro-European parties won tho. The anti Europe party finished 3rd.
Hell no the EU ain't over. UKIP and the Danish anti-EU party refuse to collaborate with Marine Le Pen. The anti-EU parties are devided and having them in the EP is useless as ****.
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Well that's what they say, we don't know yet how much they are actually willing to cooperate. If they stick together with some Eurosceptics from the right they might actually do some damage...
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 8,420
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Quote:
Originally posted by L/\DY G/\G/\
The E.U. is designed to fail with so many members who have different wants and needs from the EU. France and the U.K., which keep the E.U. relevant economically and internationally, rightfully view the E.U. as a bad investment. The E.U. has disproportionally benefited certain countries while arguably diminishing the bargaining positions of France and the U.K. economically and militarily.
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100% agree.
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Member Since: 9/1/2013
Posts: 4,003
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Originally posted by MillionLights
The EU doesn't mind taking our money tho.
And I think the reasons we aren't as involved are a) we're not even part of continental Europe and don't even share the same culture as most EU states and b) we get nothing out of the EU apart from being able to trade more easily (trade would still be possible even if we weren't part of the EU because of the commonwealth).
The only countries that gain anything from the EU really are the poorer countries.
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Here we go again... What about those rich big UK corporations in poorer countries who benefited hugely from EU deals. Just to mention one does Tesco ring a bell?
People need to stop acting the victims card, the EU is NOT and NEVER been a one way deal...
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 1,674
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jicky
That makes no sense tbh...
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...yes it does?
Countries like the UK, France and Germany, for example are the biggest investors into the EU however (understandably, though) other countries reap more of the benefits than the investors do. As a result, it deters countries like the UK as they're pouring money into something without reward.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 8,420
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jicky
Here we go again... What about those rich big UK corporations in poorer countries who benefited hugely from EU deals. Just mention one Tesco ring a bell?
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Tesco is local af... It's non-existent in Germany (I only saw Lidl/Aldi there) and France. The supermarket idea isn't as widespread in mainland Europe.
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Member Since: 3/15/2013
Posts: 19,723
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It's really crazy how extreme parties are doing so well across Europe. Like Germany has a neo nazi group winning seats 
I hope the EU does collapse. It's not fair to redistribute wealth of countries who are thriving to others who aren't doing well at all. Taxpayers money is better spent improving our own services
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 31,020
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Not people blaming poor countries for taking all the money. Do you really believe that the rich one would give the money just like that if it wasn't profitable for them  Wake up. The only problem with EU is Euro which should be abandoned and the European Comission which resembles centrally planned economy known from the Soviet Union 
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