Guy Verhofstadt Livres

Europe is in crisis. How did we get here? What didn't work? Faced with such an emergency, are the euro zone states not creating an undemocratic monster? Is euroscepticism not reactionary? Could a federation of 27 actually work? This book is a call. A wake up call directed to every citizen. It is an exercise in lucidity that encourages reflection. And it is also an alarm bell. The tone is frank, passionate. The arguments hard hitting: "Europe must once and for all get rid of the navel gazing of its nation-states. A radical revolution is needed. A large European revolution. And a European federal Union must emerge. A Union that enables Europe to participate in the postnational world of tomorrow. By laziness, cowardice and lack of vision, too many of our Heads of State and Government prefer not to see what is at stake. Let's wake them up. Let's confront them with their impotence. And give them no respite until they have taken the European way, the way to a Europe of the future, towards a Europe for Europeans. The era of empty summits and statements is over. Now is the time for action."

In the midst of Europe's greatest crisis since World War II, a prominent statesman advocates for a radical transformation of the European Union to resemble the federal structure of the United States. The continent faces numerous challenges: an economic downturn affecting Greece and deepening divides between northern and southern Europe; terrorist attacks in major cities; Russian aggression in Ukraine and the Baltic states; and an influx of refugees from conflict zones. The EU's failure to address these issues contributed to Britain's decision to leave, raising concerns about further exits and the potential destabilization of the region. This turmoil poses significant risks not only to Europe but also to American and British security, as European problems cannot be contained within its borders. The author, a former Belgian prime minister and current leader in the European Parliament, critiques the EU's current structure, highlighting the absurdity of allowing individual member states to veto legislation and control borders. He presents a compelling vision for reforming the EU into a more unified entity, akin to a United States of Europe, capable of collaborating effectively with the U.S. to foster global peace and prosperity. This work serves as a vital call to action, urging a reimagining of the European Union to ensure its survival and enhance its role as a force for good in the world.

De ziekte van Europa is het genadeloze relaas over een eens zo ambitieus Europees project dat aftakelde tot ene institutionele modderpoel. Het boek is rijkelijk voorzien van politieke anekdotes en persoonlijke verhalen die de lezer meenemen achter de schermen van de Europese macht. Europa waant zichzelf nog steeds het morele centrum van de wereld terwijl de Middellandse Zee uitgroeit tot een migrantenkerkhof en we er maar niet in slagen de economische crisis te overwinnen. De wereld kijkt ons meewarig aan: 'Europa, dat is kleingeestigheid in achtentwintig verschillende schakeringen,' schamperde The New York Times. Guy Verhofstadt ziet een oplossing in een grote sprong voorwaarts in de Europese integratie. Die hoeft niet te resulteren in de creatie van een superstaat, maar wel in een efficiënter en democratischer Europa. Hij grijpt terug op de wijze woorden van de 'founding fathers': hij diept de vergeten Europese grondwet van 1952 op en geeft haar een opknapbeurt.

Europa está en crisis. ¿Cómo hemos llegado a esta situación? ¿Qué es lo que ha fallado? Con las prisas que impone la actual agenda política, ¿no estarán los Estados de la zona euro creando un monstruo antidemocrático? ¿Es el euroescepticismo reaccionario? ¿Podría una federación de veintisiete funcionar eficazmente? Este manifiesto es una llamada dirigida a la inteligencia de cada ciudadano europeo. Un ejercicio de lucidez e incitación a la reflexión. Un grito de alarma, también. La era de las buenas palabras en las Cumbres se ha cumplido sobradamente, ha llegado el momento de los hechos.