Saturday

2nd Dec 2023

Magazine

In 2018, make Europe great again!

The worst is not always yet to come.

At the start of 2017, the EU was under the double shock of the Brexit vote in the UK and the election of EU- and Nato-sceptic Donald Trump as US president.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

With far-right Marine Le Pen leading in the polls ahead of the spring elections in France, many were waiting for the third shock that would decidedly knock the European project to the ground.

As we approach the end of 2017, Brexit increasingly looks like a self-harming decision no one would reasonably imitate; a young and dynamic French president tries to lead the way to relaunch the EU; and EU leaders now have a 'roadmap' to take big decisions in the 18 months ahead.

Is Europe back on the right track, then?

The mood has certainly changed and the most pressing dangers have been warded off. But some cracks continue to tear the EU fabric.

Concerns for the rule of law in Poland, in Hungary, and for countries like Malta are growing.

The Catalan separatist challenge is also unlikely to wane.

Last but not least, when this magazine went to press, German chancellor Angela Merkel was unable to form a new government.

Uncertainty continues to threaten the anchor of EU stability.

But as the UK is about to leave, and the US, Russia and China are trying to reshape the world where European values could be sidelined, EU leaders must continue their efforts to relaunch the EU project and make Europe great again.

In 2018, as in 2017, the EU will be living between hope and worry. And in 2018, as in 2017, EUobserver will continue its works to keep you informed and help you understand the changing times.

As an independent, not-for-profit media, your support is crucial in allowing us to report the truth; to make sense of new trends and events; to hold EU powers to account; and to work against fake news and disinformation strategies.

From Brussels to all the member states, EUobserver will also take the pulse of societies across Europe as they prepare for 2019's important event - the European elections. So the worst is definitely not to come.

We wish you all the best for the twelve next months. Happy 2018!

This story was originally published in EUobserver's 2017 Europe in Review Magazine.

Click here to access EUobserver's entire magazine collection.

Magazine

The EU and US in the age of Trump

America's face changed when Donald Trump replaced Barack Obama. But one year on, the foundations of the transatlantic relationship are still intact.

Magazine

Michel Barnier: The UK's best friend in Brussels

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator is an atypical French politician, with a love for mountains and Europe. He has been steering Brexit talks with a steady hand, and a deal could catapult him to the higher echelons of EU politics.

Magazine

Macron: Hegelian hero of EU history?

The election of the 39-year old newcomer injected new hope and dynamism. But the French president still has to find solid allies in the EU and deliver his ambitious agenda at home.

Magazine

Visegrad cracks and divisions

The V4 countries have become one of the most vocal and recognised groups within the EU. But 2017 has seen a shake-up in the informal eastern and central European power bloc.

Magazine

A deep dive into the EU regional funds

While the regional funds account for a full third of the EU budget, they are somewhat under-reported. EUobserver's latest edition of the Regions & Cities magazine looks at the EU's cohesion policy.

Magazine

In 2018, make Europe great again!

Is the EU back on track to make Europe great again? The fifth edition of EUobserver's Europe in Review magazine looks at the biggest events that shaped the EU in 2017 and prospects for 2018.

Latest News

  1. Israel's EU ambassador: 'No clean way to do this operation'
  2. Brussels denies having no 'concern' on Spain's amnesty law
  3. Dubai's COP28 — a view from the ground
  4. Germany moves to criminalise NGO search-and-rescue missions
  5. Israel recalls ambassador to Spain in new diplomatic spat
  6. Migrant return bill 'obstructed' as EU states mull new position
  7. Paris and Berlin key to including rape in gender-violence directive
  8. What are the big money debates at COP28 UN climate summit?

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  3. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  4. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?
  5. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  6. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us