Is The European Experiment Over?

It's finally here. Brexit is getting more real every day. French and Dutch far-right populists are ready for the elections later this year. And across the pond, Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office, beating all the odds. The moment to reconsider the European experiment is finally here.

We, who have lived, studied, worked and roamed freely in the EU since we were practically kids, can't really believe this is happening. And, by all means, the EU can still overcome this challenge. However, if we can learn anything from the 2016 experiences it is that unlikely doesn't equal impossible.

So it's time to look at the stadiums where the key matches will be played:

First, Brexit maybe the hardest test of unity for Brussels, in a moment when unity proves elusive.

Second, how to avoid new Brexits in countries like France, Netherlands, Denmark and, more recently, Italy. The proposed 'two-speed solution', that would allow countries more room to decide the pace of their own political integration, has its downsides, particularly in the East.

And third, the Dutch national election, to be held in just one month. If Europhobes get control of Amsterdam's agenda, Le Pen and the rest to come later in elections this year and the next.

I'm not a fan of Foreign Policy, but I find this particular article very shareable. Really simple and fast to read, it's a very good refresher on what to keep an eye on in the next few weeks, and to keep in mind that the chances of European disintegration are not zero. And that means, as we must have learned already, that it's very possible.