Differentiated integration is a central feature of the European Union (EU). This article starts with an analysis of current developments in differentiated integration. We observe a trend of consolidation thanks to Brexit, the expiration of exemptions from Eastern enlargement, and the absence of new treaty changes and accessions. We further argue that the recent crises of the EU did not lend themselves to differentiated solutions because they affected highly integrated policies and constitutional and redistributive conflicts. We discuss the EU’s enlargement as an important driver of differentiation and argue in view of past trends and the current reform proposals that so far, no comprehensive model of differentiated membership is at the horizon and hence the current plans for enlargement are likely to increase temporary differentiation and demand institutional reforms.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
