In early March 2020, due to outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, world suddenly began to change at a rapid pace. It has been shown that the crisis caused by the spread of the virus is not exclusively a health issue, but that wider social, economic and political consequences will also be felt. The European Union has once again – after a not so glorious experience of managing the financial crisis – found itself on a test of political unity and solidarity.

The crisis has brought many negative things – personal tragedies, social suffering and political instability. At the same time, however, it has opened up a horizon of different possibilities that are not available during “normal” times. Political decisions made in times of crisis can have far-reaching consequences than decisions made during periods of stability. At a time of great social and political upheavals, it is possible to almost completely redefine the existing polity.

Discussions about the future of the European Union, in the context of (non)solidarity of this political community, began to take place soon after the outbreak of the pandemic. Starting with discussions on distribution of medical equipment at the beginning of crisis, through economic recovery plan “Europe of the new generation”, distribution of vaccines between rich and poor countries and politicization of vaccine procurement, and the announcement of introduction of Covid passports, solidarity became a key word on the Old Continent.

On the one hand, voices can be heard that the management of the corona crisis has proven that the multilateral decision-making model is too slow and inefficient, and that the future lies in return to nation state. Others point out that this is the right opportunity for the European Union to embark on a path of deeper integration and that transformation into a full federal state would create a significantly more solidary political community. The third way is in the position that the current measures and policies are quite sufficient and solidary and that nothing more can actually be expected from the European Union. Finally, the pandemic was used by other major world powers to strengthen their own influence on the “borders” of the European Union, especially in the Western Balkans.

Due to all the above, we want to discuss the following questions: Can there be solidarity in a supranational community such as the EU, or are we “condemned” on nation (welfare) state? Can we imagine a different Europe, a transformation into a more solidary polity where we think in “we” categories and what are the steps on that path? What are the obstacles to achieving European political unity and how to make decision-making within the EU more democratic and efficient? Is there a single European citizenship or are political elites directed exclusively towards their own, national electorate? What will be the consequences for non-members and is it realistic to expect EU enlargement to the Western Balkans in the near future?

Participants: