Trust Crisis Deepens: Has the European Union Entered a Phase of 'Slow Dying'؟

A recent opinion poll conducted in six countries highlights a deepening crisis of trust toward the European Union and a widespread sense of decline among most citizens, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.

Currently, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is finalizing her annual speech on the "State of the Union," which she is scheduled to deliver before the Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 16 September.

Le Figaro stated that "it would be wise for the President of the European Commission—aiming to deepen her vision and analysis of the situation—to review the comprehensive study prepared by both the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the Foundation for European Culture (FCE)." This study underscores a crisis of confidence in the European project, a broad sense of decline, and even a perception of an existential threat to its future.

Europeans remain strongly attached to the Union (74% on average), as shown annually by Eurobarometer surveys. However, they feel disappointed by the institutions’ ability to address mounting challenges, according to the fifth edition of the "European Mood Compass" indicator released on 9 September.

In this context, 68% of respondents reported a "general deterioration" in the European Union, while only 12% described Europe’s current state using phrases like "awakening and renewal." This figure significantly diverges from the image of vitality and autonomy that leaders such as Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron seek to reinforce amid pressures from competing geopolitical powers like China and the United States.

Conversely, 74% of citizens believe Europe struggles to confront the challenges it faces, often attributing this to its sluggishness and bureaucratic nature; indeed, 56% think the future of the European Union is "in danger."

Although disappointment is not exclusive to Europeans—similar sentiments can be observed among other populations, such as Americans—the risk could prove fatal to the EU’s political project.

In this context, the notion of "slow dying," raised by former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in his 2024 report, remains powerfully present two years later, without eliciting the expected response reflecting a genuine desire to survive, according to the report.