RevUE of the JMCM and the CCGES round table proposed by Joachim Cordier

« L’Europe : combien de divisions ? », april 9, 2025 organized by Charline Hutin (Université de Montréal) and Laurent Borzillo (École nationale d’administration publique).

Organized by the École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP), this conference was part of a broader geopolitical reflection on the internal fractures of the European Union in the face of contemporary security challenges—particularly in a post-election context marked by the return of Donald Trump, which is accelerating major shifts in Western foreign policy. During the event, we heard several insightful contributions, moderated by Charline Utin (a student in International Studies with a specialization in Peace and Security) and Laurent Borzillo (researcher at ENAP, associate of the Jean Monnet Centre, and specialist in European security architecture). With a diverse panel of guests, the speakers highlighted the political solidarity challenges currently facing Europe, in an atmosphere that is becoming increasingly tense. Most speeches emphasized the Russian threat, particularly as a key factor in internal tensions.

The analysis was structured around several national case studies, illustrating the diversity of responses to these pressures. In Poland, for example, the current governing coalition—formed through a broad alliance of left- and right-wing parties—aims to restore the rule of law after several years of authoritarianism under the PiS government. However, this mission proves to be complex, involving deep reforms to the judiciary, education, and media systems. Internal divisions persist, notably on the issue of abortion liberalization, revealing the ideological limits of such a political alliance. One notable example mentioned was how party leaders within the Polish coalition were appointed to positions that matched their areas of political legitimacy, which helped ensure cohesion despite ideological tensions.

Additionally, Italy offers a Mediterranean counterpoint to these dynamics. The coalition led by Giorgia Meloni, although clearly right-wing in its ideological stance, has managed to maintain a degree of continuity in foreign policy, particularly in its support for Ukraine. In light of the political uncertainties surrounding Donald Trump, this raises questions—especially as the former U.S. president’s ideological views have cast doubt on the strength and reliability of what was once considered a stable transatlantic relationship.

In conclusion, the conference highlighted the European Union’s relative inability to speak with one voice in response to contemporary security threats. When assertive political forces rise to power, they often foster instability, typically emerging from coalitions that are more or less ideologically diverse and operating within complex national environments. In the end, in an increasingly polycentric world where alliances are constantly shifting, the establishment of a truly united Europe is more important than ever.

Joachim Cordier.