Article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/09/europeans-want-united-europe-union-study-finds
Many Europeans feel that European nations are not taking enough action. Most Europeans want a strong and unified Europe, but many people believe that Europe isn’t capable of becoming stronger or more united. Many people are worried about issues such as war and security, economic stability, climate change, Europe not acting quickly enough, and Europe becoming weaker compared to powerful nations. The article discusses a statistical study, where 73% of Europeans wanted a stronger future, while only 13% wanted less Europe or for the EU to disappear. This article states the lack of confidence creates an opening for far-right political parties because of the decline of the current system. As a result, many Europeans stopped believing in the leaders to deliver change for the future.
Based upon the article, Europe’s biggest problem is not that people no longer believe in unity, but rather the lack of effective action by their leaders about various issues. The statistic shows how many Europeans still want a stronger Europe, yet they feel frustrated by the lack of action on major issues such as war, the economy, and climate change. This lack of confidence could become dangerous, especially with the people turning to far-right parties that capitalize on the public dishonestly; in other words, an activism that is towards the dismantling of the EU and going towards a nation ruled by national control rather than IGOs. In my view, European leaders need to make faster decisions and have effective ways to rebuild trust among citizens that can unify the nation.
Every stakeholder involved responds to Europe’s current situation differently. European citizens are the primary focus, due to the building tensions between the lack of action through various issues, especially regarding war, economic stability, and climate change, and Europeans’ ability to create a unified and independent plan. European leaders need to focus less on making promises but rather creating resilience throughout the citizens that voted for them, in ways such as creating proof of making a new, stronger, unified Europe. Additionally, the European Union should respond in addressing the rising concerns of the consequences of the geopolitical weakness and the creation of transparency among civilians. While the Uncertain groups remain important to European projects and give a sense of verifying the actions that are being taken. While the European far-right parties could take this a step ahead for their beliefs by creating propaganda of the lack of initiative.
This article connects to our discussion in class of political legitimacy, of the role of government in crises such as the lack of connection to issues from citizens. The idea of the “imagination gap,” shows the legitimacy of the support of goals created by the EU but lost in confidence when leaders fail to proceed with issues. This article highlights how major issues such as war, economic stability, and climate change can influence how political attitudes can shift. Restating how major issues can unstabilize a nation and how major unions can quickly rise in action.