What Explains the Lack of Trust in the EU Among Its Member States? A Constitutional Analysis of the EU’s ‘Value Crisis’

Nergelius considers various crises and challenges facing the European Union: the migration crisis, Britain’s imminent withdrawal from the EU, the risk of state bankruptcy in Greece and sanctions against Russia. The author argues that these crises are eminently constitutional as well as political. They draw attention to the ongoing conflict of values, exacerbated by the actions of the Hungarian and Polish governments, between a liberal model of society and various conservative, authoritarian and nationalist ideals that were long thought to be obsolete. To deal with this crisis, the more liberal states of the EU should make use of the mechanisms set out in the treaties to force recalcitrant states to adopt more liberal policies on refugees, as well as on political rights, freedoms and tolerance.