Rethinking Europe – Between Decadence and Renewal

Europe stands at a crossroads. The number of irregular migrants is rising, political discourse is hardening, and concern over social tensions is mounting. What was long treated as a fringe issue has moved to the centre of the political agenda – and threatens to shake the very foundations of liberal democracy.

A Continent Under Pressure

In 2024 alone, Frontex recorded more than 239,000 irregular border crossings. That year, Greece, Italy, and Spain were among the principal points of arrival: Greece saw the highest inflow via the Eastern Mediterranean route; Italy remained a main destination along the Central Mediterranean route despite falling numbers; and Spain, especially via the Canary Islands, registered a sharp rise in arrivals. Yet the political aftershocks are felt most acutely in the north and west. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany are experiencing mounting tensions between newcomers and long-established residents. Police statistics reveal rising crime rates in certain urban areas, while citizen patrols are emerging – a symptom of waning trust in the state.

In his book On the Road to Empire, Belgian historian David Engels warned years ago of moral decay, political paralysis, and an identity crisis within the EU – describing European democracy as “irretrievably at the brink” and urging a return to Europe’s cultural and historically spiritual traditions.

Political Polarisation

The political response to the wave of illegal migration, ongoing since 2015, remains deeply divided. Conservative and right-wing parties call for drastic reductions, in some cases pursuing “zero-tolerance” programmes. Left-liberal forces emphasise integration, quota systems, and humanitarian reception. Between these poles, the debate has grown increasingly entrenched.

In France, Marine Le Pen remains among the most popular politicians, even if she currently trails Emmanuel Macron in the polls. In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom (PVV) was part of a governing coalition until June 2025, when he withdrew over disputes on asylum policy, bringing down the government. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni is consolidating her position and is on course to reach 1,000 days in office – an exceptional feat in Italian politics. At the same time, Germany under Friedrich Merz and France under Emmanuel Macron are striving to forge a common European line, so far without decisive success.

On migration, the EU often appears less a union with central steering than a loose confederation: member states largely act independently, often without a clear shared course – many, as the saying goes, steering in the fog.

Economic and Social Strains

Migration is not merely a question of border control. It reaches deep into labour markets, welfare systems, and urban development. In London, Paris, or Brussels, districts have emerged where parallel societies are entrenched – with their own businesses, media, and, in some cases, religiously informed legal systems. Supporters view this as an expression of cultural diversity; critics see it as evidence of failed integration.

In Germany, municipal associations warn of an overburdened welfare state. In Britain, talk is increasing of “feral cities” – urban zones effectively detached from state authority. Engels speaks of a “creeping loss of territorial sovereignty” that operates not only in physical but also in cultural terms.

The Geopolitical Dimension

Migration flows cannot be viewed in isolation. Conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, and climate-driven crises in Asia are shifting population patterns. Authoritarian regimes are also weaponising migration as a political tool – as Belarus did at the Polish border in 2021, or more recently Russia through targeted visa policies towards African states.

The EU has responded with intensified cooperation with third countries, notably the controversial migration agreement with Tunisia. Critics see this as outsourcing responsibility to states with questionable human-rights records; supporters call it necessary realpolitik.

Media, Opinion, and Power Struggles

Media coverage reflects and reinforces societal polarisation: conservative outlets warn of “uncontrolled migration waves”, while left-leaning platforms stress humanitarian obligations and the economic contribution of migrants. Increasingly, public debate shifts from sober analysis towards emotional mobilisation – a dynamic that hinders democratic decision-making.

Social media act as an accelerant. Campaigns by activists and counter-campaigns by the right intersect with disinformation operations from abroad. The result is a climate of mistrust.

Identity, Democracy, and the Rule of Law

Historian David Engels argues that a healthy European patriotism cannot rest solely on human rights or universalism, but must be grounded in history, spirituality, and traditional cultural roots. He advocates renewing this ethos within a new European framework – what he calls Hesperialism. In his collection Europa Aeterna, he outlines a form of confederation of European nations bound by a common patriotism.

One fact is clear: democracy and the rule of law in many EU countries are increasingly caught between two fronts. Populist movements demand radical measures to restore security and order; liberal forces warn of an erosion of fundamental rights. Both risk deepening a social rift that may prove impossible to mend – least of all from Brussels, which critics say lacks democratic legitimacy.

Possible Ways Forward

The answer is unlikely to lie in either total closure or complete openness. Rather, it points towards controlled, skills-based migration tied to clear integration requirements, as practised in Australia or Canada. This must include strengthened external borders and a reformed asylum system to prevent abuse. Some observers note the potential to reduce push factors through targeted development aid and trade agreements – a strategy with long-term benefits but little short-term relief.

That Europe is adrift in this way undermines its standing in relation to China and the United States.

Statement

Europe faces an existential test: migration and questions of identity have fused into a political constant that combines social strain with geopolitical risk. Historians such as David Engels warn of the erosion of Europe’s cultural core. Between restrictive measures and humanitarian obligations, the continent must find a path that safeguards both security and openness. The alternative is the slow erosion of democracy, the rule of law, and internal peace. Whether this can be achieved will depend less on institutions than on the willingness to rebuild social cohesion across national and cultural divides.