Political Differentiation as the End of Political Unity? A Narrative Analysis

Figures & data

Table 1. Narrative analysis between 2000 and 2004

Key narrative: United in diversity
Sub-narrative	Goal	Plot	Actors
No alternative to enlargement	Reunification of the European continent	Enlargement and accession to the Union are considered the only options to achieve the reunification of the European continent and its stability. European enlargement is indispensable.	European Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs); German Foreign Ministers, German Chancellor, German President, French Foreign Ministers, French President, Polish Secretary for European Integration, Italian President
The EU project as a factor of increased power/one voice	More prosperity, security and democracy	The EU guarantees increased powers to MS along with growing prosperity, stability and security as long as MS speak with one voice. The EU is seen as a ‘global player’.	European Commissioners (specifically President of the Commission and Commissioner for Enlargement), European Council, President of the EP, MEPs; French Foreign Ministers, former Italian Prime Minister
Diversity as a strength	Contemporary and future enlargement	Diversity within the EU is regarded as an asset and a strength. Differences between its countries do not represent an obstacle.	EU Commissioners (President of the Commission and Commissioner for Enlargement), European Council and MEPs; French Ministers for European Affairs, French Foreign Ministers, French President, Italian President, German Chancellor, German Foreign Ministers, German President
The EU as a secure anchor	More integration despite differences	Countries in the EU need to have a secure anchor to the EU by recognising its fundamental principles to extend European peace. The EU is described as ‘home’ and ‘family’.	European Commissioners (Presidents of the Commission, Commissioner for Enlargement), European Council, MEPs, President of the EP; Italian President, German President, French President
Differentiated integration, but only temporary	Convergence between old and new MS	All new MS need to be eventually fully integrated into the acquis communautaire. There is no Europe à la carte and no second-class membership.	European Commissioners; Italian Prime Minister, Italian and French Presidents, French Ministers for European Affairs, Foreign Ministers, German Chancellor, leader of the German opposition

Table 2. Narrative analysis between 2010 and 2014

Key narrative: ʽDivided in unity’
Sub-narrative	Goal	Plot	Actors
No alternative to integration	More economic and fiscal integration	Actors disagree with the EU’s current political course or certain fiscal responses to the crises, European integration and the EU as a whole are nonetheless seen as inevitable.	European Council; German Chancellor, German Minister of Finance, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Polish Prime Minister, Italian President, Italian Prime Minister (technocratic government)
The EU as failed leader/democratic deficit	Reform of the EU	MS in the EU find themselves in a deadlock: the EU is not able to take the lead and help countries to overcome the crises, while MS need the EU’s support to solve new challenges.	MEPs; Polish Prime Minister, French President, Italian President, Italian Prime Minister, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Diversity as a challenge	Renationalisation/ institutional reform	Diversity between MS and diverging national interests challenge the possibility of finding a joint stance.	MEPs; Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, German Chancellor, German Minister of Finance, French Minister of Foreign Affairs
Conditional solidarity	Fair distribution of liability/protection of national interests	Far-reaching conditions and prerequisites need to be included in economic aid and debt relief proposals.	MEPs; Polish Prime Minister, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, German Chancellor, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, German Minister for Economic Affairs
Global focus instead of EU focus	Stability for MS as an individual actor in a globalised world	Solutions on a national/global level are preferable to European ones. There is a need for a strengthened global rather than a reinforced European governance to assert individual national attractiveness for external actors.	Polish Prime Minister, French President, Italian President