Prof Federico Fabbrini's new book
Brexit and the Future of the European Union

New book Brexit and the Future of the European Union launched today

Brexit and the Future of the European Union, a new book by Prof. Federico Fabbrini, Director of Dublin City University’s Brexit Institute was launched at a virtual event today by Enrico Letta, the former Prime Minister of Italy and Alex Stubb, the former Prime Minister of Finland.

The book offers the first comprehensive analysis of the proposals to establish a Conference on the Future of Europe and discusses its potential to renew the EU, putting the question of the future of the EU squarely at the centre of its analysis, focusing on how the Brexit process and its difficulties affect the EU institutions, the EU treaties and the prospects of EU integration.

It examines how the EU has changed during Brexit and because of it, while also reflecting on the developments of the EU besides and beyond Brexit. It argues that the UK withdrawal from the EU – the first ever case of disintegration since the start of the European integration process – creates an urgent need to reform the EU. In fact, while the EU institutions and its member states have remained united in their negotiations vis-à-vis the UK, Brexit has created transitional problems for the EU, and exposed other serious fissures in its system of governance which need to be addressed moving forward.

As the EU goes through another major crisis in the form of the response to COVID-19, the case for increasing the effectiveness and the legitimacy of the EU grows stronger.

Speaking ahead of today’s launch Prof. Federico Fabbrini said

"This book launch, which features two former Prime Ministers, from Finland and Italy, confirms the ever growing role of DCU in the field of European affairs. Thanks to the work of the Brexit Institute, the Jean Monnet Network BRIDGE and other initiatives in EU law & policy, DCU has become the go-to place in Ireland to discuss the future of Europe beyond Brexit."

Prof. Daire Keogh, President of Dublin City University said

“This is an important and timely book that maps out the challenges, opportunities and complexities faced by Europe in the post-Brexit era. As the EU enters a period of reflection following the UK’s exit, Prof Fabbrini provides ample food for thought for policy makers and political leaders.

This publication is also a prime example of the world-class research emanating from the DCU Brexit Institute, the first academic centre established to address this seismic event in European affairs.”

The book is available from Oxford University Press