Reform of EU relies on member states’ ability to compromise

COMPROMISE is at the heart of the EU. But this presents problems for all participants. When you are promising to reform the Union into an open and transparent entity, reaching a compromise can be even more difficult.

A country has to make a strong case and look as though it is not willing to deviate from it. This means creating as much noise and making as many threatening gestures as possible.

When each side has the measure of the other, the bargaining begins. And out of this a compromise is reached. The problem is a country must also convince its public it means what it says. Expectations are raised and the population stands behind the arguments.