The Post-crisis European Union Before the Political UnionCoordinates and Keys of the Future Institutional Architecture

Résumé

Historically, the European integration is a relatively recent process and in permanent evolution. Over time, the EU has moved from what is international towards what is political-constitutional. This last dimension has been stressed during the Euro crisis (bank union, fiscal...), in addition to becoming obvious to the citizens. The management of political conflicts requires political legitimacy and, consequently, the adjustment of institutional architecture. Apparently, now is the time to formalize the European political union. But, what type of union? It is mandatory to reflect on the basic political elements and on the institutional architecture such as federalism, distribution of competences, separation of powers or democracy. Moreover, the post-crisis European reality is characterized by the politicization and the constitutionalization of the EU. These elements constrain the institutional adaptation of the EU. Specifically, one of the keys is the establishment of guarantees for the articulation of multiple governments and institutions within the EU.