Description:
This book is the first detailed analysis of how the EU responded to Brexit. It is an important reference point for future studies of the Brexit negotiations. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with key institutional players in Brussels and in several member states to document how the EU handled the first-ever exit of one of its members. The Brexit shock came at a time when the EU had barely recovered from the Euro crisis and was struggling to manage an unprecedented inflow of refugees. The immediate fear was that Brexit might be the final straw that broke the camel 's back.
Eurosceptics were jubilant, and Europhiles were distraught. In reality, the EU reacted to Brexit with resolve and a determination to protect the polity. The book argues that getting the process right was crucial. The EU mobilised its collective capacity to negotiate effectively and with one voice.
Review Quotes:
"The EU's Response to Brexit: United and Effective is a must-read and even more so that it is available in Open Access. It offers a unique and comprehensive account of the Brexit process, to the point that even readers who do not know anything about Brexit will get a complete understanding of the dynamics at play." (Benjamin Leruth, European Political Science, Vol. 23 (4), 2024)