Further EU integration will be uneven and incremental

Significance

The celebration came just days before the United Kingdom is set to begin the withdrawal process. Precisely what path the EU will take over the next decade remains uncertain and the European Commission has kicked off a process of dialogue on various scenarios for its future.

Impacts

• Debates about the future of the EU will occur simultaneously with Brexit negotiations and be coloured by them.
• EU leaders will be keen to continue to demonstrate their commitment to press forward with European integration despite Brexit.
• Brexit will not lead to an unravelling of the EU and thus far has served to enhance support for the Union in other member states.
• Yet Brexit will not lead to any sudden deepening of integration.