Диференцираната интеграция и възходът на евроскептицизма: преосмисляне на бъдещето на Европейския съюз
Differentiated Integration and the Rise of Euroscepticism: Rethinking the Future of the European Union

Author(s): Gergana Radoykova
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Political Sciences, Comparative politics, EU-Approach / EU-Accession / EU-Development
Published by: Университет за национално и световно стопанство (УНСС)
Keywords: European Union; differentiated integration; Euroscepticism; sovereignty
Summary/Abstract: The history of the European Union has consistently been marked by the interplay between deeper integration and the respect for national sovereignty. In recent decades, this dynamic has led to the gradual development of a model of differentiated integration, which allows member states to participate in integration projects at different levels and speeds. While this flexibility has enabled the Union to make progress in key areas such as monetary policy, security, and migration, it has also created new challenges for unity, solidarity, and democratic legitimacy. There is little doubt that differentiated integration is a central theme in the debate on the future of the European project. At the same time, the rise of Euroscepticism—fueled by escalating geopolitical tensions, economic crises, migration pressures, and nationalist, populist rhetoric—raises questions about the very foundations of the Union. This study examines the interrelationship between differentiated integration and Euroscepticism, arguing that while differentiation can serve as a pragmatic tool for managing diversity, it can also reinforce perceptions of inequality and deepen divisions among member states. The analysis assesses whether differentiated integration offers a sustainable path forward for the EU or whether it risks undermining its unity and legitimacy, thereby shaping the Union’s prospects in an era of uncertainty.

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