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2023 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

3. Rule of Law Crisis: EU in Limbo Between Federalism and Flexible Integration

Author : Anna Södersten

Published in: The EU between Federal Union and Flexible Integration

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

In the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that the EU has drifted into a ‘rule of law crisis’. This crisis concerns the very core of the EU: It is about its foundations and identity. The chapter argues that because of the crisis, the EU is in limbo between federalism and flexible integration. Federalism, understood as ‘unity’, where all member states pursue the same objectives and at the same speed, is not feasible, given that the political leadership in several member states are questioning the common values. Flexible integration, understood as closer cooperation among only those member states that continue to respect the rule of law, is not possible either, because the EU cannot have ‘multiple speeds’ when it comes to values. There is no obvious way out of the limbo, but in order to maintain its credibility, the EU must continue to fully apply the political, legal, and economic tools that are currently at its disposal.

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Title: Rule of Law Crisis: EU in Limbo Between Federalism and Flexible Integration
Author: Anna Södersten
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: The EU between Federal Union and Flexible Integration
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-22396-9

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-031-22397-6

Copyright Year: 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22397-6_3