At a recent event in Berlin, in the framework of „A Soul for Europe“, the question was put and discussed, how Europe could be built or reconstructed from bottom up. In fact, the European Union has been rather constructed from the top. This was necessary, because in its old national set up it has been endangered and lead into wars by the leaders at the top. Often the European Union is called an elite project - this may be partly true, but on the other hand it has been supported by many citizens as many referenda and opinion polls show. After the British people decided in its majority for Brexit, the popular support in many other countries was even growing.
European Integration needs a new push
Nevertheless it would bring a renewed push for the European integration, if bottom-up initiatives would create new facts and a new foundation for the European Union. There are already many existing initiatives, which are building Europe from bottom up. These initiatives - if they are working inside national boundaries or if they are active across borders - are creating another potential integration level, which is often underrated in public discussions and in political debates. It is a level, which is truly European - it is not strengthening the national borders and creating or supporting the divisions between member states.
In addition, many such European minded activists and associations do their work in non-EU countries. As such they already envisage a European Union after enlargement by countries, which have been promised accession - for example by the countries of Western Balkans. Other countries, like Ukraine and Moldova, can be included in such a new fight for a common democratic Europe beyond the present European Union.
Authoritarian forces cooperate across borders
There is another more challenging cross border level which has been developing in the last years - the cooperation of extreme right wing, authoritarian forces, which have a different approach towards Europe and democracy in general. The Hungarian Prime minister Orban calls the concept the „illiberal“ democracy - an oxymoron. Other authoritarian leaders are rather acting pragmatically without giving their polices a special title. They are all united in the establishment of authoritarian structures, in order to enhance and stabilize their power. For this they enforce their personal and political influence primarily on the judicial sector and the media. Their instruments are message control and nomination of obedient prosecutors and judges.
If one analyses the situation in Poland, Hungary, Slovenia or Serbia one can find the same strategy, undertaken by leaders to strengthen their power and undermining democracy - even if there are some differences. Some develop a strong alliance with President Putin, others are similar authoritarian as Putin, but are strongly opposed to his foreign policy. Of course, some political forces outside direct power structures are only waiting to gain executive power in their country to take the same way.
The alliance between these nationalist forces beyond national borders represents and interesting phenomena. The relevant leaders are all staunch nationalists, but they are more interlinked than some of the democratic European leaders and forces.
Anti-authoritarian alliances
Fortunately there is already some interlinking of decentralized progressive forces. One is the International Alliance of Cities of Save Havens. These are cities who are ready to accept refugees, especially unaccompanied minors, beyond or even in contradiction to their national governments. In addition, several cities in countries with mostly authoritarian leaders have declared themselves Free Cities. They signed a pact which presents their cities as communities with an open and democratic orientation, also in relation to immigration. It is a pact for an active climate policy and against right wing populism.
There are also many NGOs which are strongly supporting the European values and want to advance the European integration. One can find such movements not only inside the EU but also in candidate countries and beyond. They fight against authoritarian rule and corruption and for media freedom and a progressive climate policy. Unfortunately, they are often forgotten and neglected in the European debate and in political circles inside the EU. As authoritarian leaders and forces are aligning with each other beyond national borders and beyond the borders of the EU, it would be necessary to do the same for the forces who are struggling to survive authoritarian systems and often must fear persecution.
All too often we concentrate our attention on the quarrels between different member states and between EU and non-EU countries. But in the meantime, there is another decisive split and that is the split between pro-European and democratic forces and those who want to leave and even destroy the common European value basis. This is a more dangerous conflict and it must be addressed on an European level. The European project is not so much endangered by differences about specific problems, but by the fundamental antagonism between liberal democracy and an aggressive authoritarianism which is more and more acting across national borders - in Europe but also globally - also, Donald Trump is waiting for a new chance.
A danger for peace in Europe
The strengthening of authoritarian forces is also an immediate danger for peace in Europe. A particular case is the alliance of some right wing EU leaders with the Serb leader in Bosnia-Hercegovina, Milorad Dodik. His actions and the support for him could result in a new war- if the West, especially the EU is not acting firmly. This kind of risky policies might open the door for stronger Russian influence, which as such could result in new conflicts. Anyway, the situation in the Western Balkans is too fragile for giving authoritarian leaders the chance to play with fire.
Dr. Hannes Swoboda, President of the International Institute for Peace (IP), started his career in urban politics in Vienna and was elected member of the European Parliament in 1996. He was Vice President of the Social Democrat Group until 2012 und then President until 2014. He was particularly engaged in foreign, enlargement, and neighborhood policies. Swoboda is also President of the Vienna Institute for International Economics, the Centre of Architecture, the University for Applied Science - Campus Vienna, and the Sir Peter Ustinov Institute.