1. European Union: Belgian Presidency
- Publication Date:
- 07-2001
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Oxford Analytica
- Abstract:
- The rotating EU presidency this week passed from the Swedish to the Belgian government. The Belgian presidency faces a considerable test of nerve as it attempts to square its constitutional ambitions for further political integration with the increasing unpredictability of European public opinion. The new public mood of caution towards European integration has resulted in a notable ambivalence on the part of Verhofstadt. While stressing the importance of a completely open debate, Verhofstadt is also using the more closed approach of close consultation between governments and their representatives in preparing keynote proposals for the Laeken European Council, which, in reality, is the only way of reaching solutions.
- Topic:
- Government and Politics
- Political Geography:
- Europe