Little is certain in European Union in midst of upheaval

EVERY five years the European Union goes through a radical upheaval, and just now it’s in the middle of it.

The three institutions involved in organising and running the Union all come to the end of their term, and a new team is put together to face the next one.

In the case of the member states the change-over happens every six months, but they are gradually extending their permanent presence in Brussels. At present this is confined to a Foreign Affairs representative, who is also secretary general of the Council, and his deputy. But this is due to be expanded to a separate fully fledged Foreign Affairs Ministry inside the next three years. And all of them will service five year terms.