For a better understanding of the topic we are going to address, let's start by answering a simple question!
What is Brexit?
It is understood as Brexit (Britain – exit) when United Kingdom exit process from the European Union which began as a result of favorable result for it in this country on June 23, 2016.
This political process represents a change in the institutional structure of the EU. It is not just a novel process, we are facing an existential crisis that questions the entire European project. This international organization is a experiment in transnational cooperation which until now had proven to be remarkably successful, but which, according to the most Eurosceptic experts, is now facing the abyss.
What process does Brexit follow?
The one who establishes the Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union. Let's see:
With the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU introduced the possibility of a State leaving the organization, and this is supported by the Withdrawal Agreement that establishes the guidelines for the United Kingdom's exit from the Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM). . Text agreed on November 14, 2018 and endorsed on the 25th of the same month and year by the European Council. Although after the change of government, these measures were reviewed and a new agreement was reached on October 17, 2019, which would be signed as a Withdrawal Agreement on January 24, 2020 and would come into force on February 1, 2020.
From a procedural point of view, withdrawal is not configured as the opposite process of accession, but as the confrontation between articles 49 and 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). The accession, included in art. 49 has to be approved by the European Council unanimously and ratified by the European Parliament, while the withdrawal, included in art. 50, is approved by a qualified majority after approval by Parliament. Therefore, it is said that you enter an International Organization and leave a Federal Union.
The withdrawal process gives a limit of two years for the Withdrawal Agreement to be regulated. Process of enormous political and legal complexity as it is a political system of integration between States, whose real effects we will observe in the medium and long term. However, until December 31, 2020, it will continue to be a “Member State” and it will be from that date onwards that the disintegration will begin, leading to the breaking of social, economic and cultural ties with the Union.
What implications does Brexit have for the European Union?
From the constitutional perspective of the Union we can observe 3 effects of Brexit roughly:
- A reduction in the membership of this Organization. For the first time there is a setback in terms of integration.
- The manifestation of the weaknesses of its political system: the EU is not capable of meeting the expectations of the citizens of its Member States.
- And, although it may seem contrary, progress along different lines is due to a joint "threat" that must be overcome.
From a political point of view, Brexit has also had effects on its constitutional nature, if we understand this as the processes of creation or transformation of the upper level of laws and norms of a political system. Which means, in turn, the departure of the United Kingdom through negotiation and signing of the Withdrawal Agreement, which is part of the European construction.
Materially, a qualitative mutation has occurred, understood as the change in the nature of the EU, and because of this, its effects are more difficult to estimate. They will be seen in practice over time, although it is true that some are already visible: the launch of two new areas of integration - traditionally vetoed by the British -: social policy (the PSCD and the CFSP) and joint debt. But What are the chances of the Next Generation EU program going forward? We must keep in mind that this is understood as a revolution that will be made through joint indebtedness, not mutualization of debt, and it will be the first time that the EU will make industrial policy.
From a Member State perspective, The departure of the United Kingdom from the EU means that the treaties and law of the European Union cease to apply and becomes another third state. This does not mean that bilateral relations cannot be established between the Anglo-Saxon country and the Union. Let us remember that the EU has an international legal personality different from that of the Member States and can conclude international treaties with third countries - and other international organisations - to achieve some of the established objectives - art. 216 TFEU. The departure of this State also means the loss of inhabitants, of commercial relations and, above all, of a large economy; therefore, it would not be strange if this State maintained close cooperation with the Union.
Brexit: crystallization of the destructive and destabilizing effect of Europhobia
The disastrous communication policy of the European institutions, the practice of “scapegoating” by governments and the lack of public criticism of identity politics that handles arguments far from reality are some of the reasons why a favorable breeding ground for this to have occurred. In addition, we face great challenges such as the socialization of citizens, the control of threats in terms of security (cyber attacks), disinformation (fake-news), and interference from foreign powers.
We European states can only exercise real sovereignty by cooperating among ourselves. Nationalism is an enemy of European integration, of the future of a modern State and of the well-being of its citizens, since as Mitterand said “Nationalism is war".
In conclusion, the EU is much stronger than we believe, its depth and density of interdependence are unique. A sector of the doctrine criticizes the EU for an alleged violation of the sovereignty of the States, but the fact is that European nations will only be able to truly exercise it if we can position ourselves through the Union as a geopolitical power capable of confronting the rest of the superpowers.
In collaboration with Mar Gamez
Graduated in International Relations at Loyola University, debater, and multilingual! I speak English, French, and here I go with the fourth language! I am passionate about the field of Security and Defense, and here I am to talk about international issues that concern us all. Do you read me?
