Europe, between disorientation and the need for a shared vision

What direction is Europe taking? And, above all, is it still possible to envisage a political future for the continent in a profoundly changed international context? These questions lay at the heart of the meeting “Europe, where are you heading? Hypotheses on the political future of the continent”, promoted by the Cultural Association “Manlio Cecovini Study Society” and hosted at its headquarters on Viale Miramare in Trieste.

Following the introduction by the Scientific Director, Luca Manenti, and the speech by Giuseppe “Pino” Antonione, who recalled the purpose and activities of the Association, the discussion opened with reflections from the Honourable Roberto Antonione. At the outset, the speaker clarified the approach of the meeting: not a lecture, but a dialogue with the audience, consisting of ideas, prompts and questions.

Understanding “where Europe is heading”, according to Antonione, means engaging with a world in which established reference points have disappeared. The international order that guaranteed stability for decades no longer exists, nor can it be restored. In this new scenario, characterised by uncertain balances, the logic of power tends to prevail over that of law.

In this context, Europe reveals all its structural limitations. It is not a truly autonomous political actor, but a union of states that retain decisive powers, particularly in foreign policy. Consequently, the Union can act only within the limits permitted to it, and this contributes to a perception of ineffectiveness that is often wrongly attributed to it.

What emerged was a broad reflection on the state of Western democracies. According to the speaker, they now appear weakened, unable to develop long-term strategies and increasingly oriented towards the pursuit of immediate consensus. This is an objective limitation, which makes it difficult to address complex geopolitical challenges, with direct repercussions on Europe’s ability to build a shared vision.

A particularly significant passage concerned the issue of voting. Antonione firmly reiterated that the right to vote must not be called into question, but raised the need to strengthen voters’ awareness. In the absence of adequate tools, there is a risk that the democratic process may lose effectiveness, becoming exposed to increasingly sophisticated forms of influence, also in light of the impact of new technologies.

The reflection then broadened to the role of Europe in the world. In an international system dominated by major powers, the continent risks marginalisation if it fails to present itself as a unified actor. Hence the idea that the only viable path is to strengthen political integration based on shared values – freedom, democracy and solidarity – already deeply rooted in European history.

The debate with the audience further enriched the meeting, touching on crucial issues such as the relationship between economics and politics, the contradictions of EU enlargement, the role of the Balkans, and the crisis of intermediary bodies. Several contributions highlighted how Europe’s current weakness is also linked to the transformation of national political systems and the lack of institutions capable of shaping an adequate ruling class.

Ultimately, the discussion brought forward a simple yet significant idea: Europe’s future is not predetermined and cannot be taken for granted. It will depend on the ability of Member States and European societies to develop a shared vision and to confront, with appropriate means, the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
The speaker’s critical perspective, therefore, was not devoid of outlook. Europe remains an open project, whose direction will depend on the political, cultural and civic choices made in the years to come.

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