I count on the Northern countries to rebel. They’ve got pride (even to a sinful degree) whereas we’ve got cyncism (to a sinful degree). Plus they have a culture of Res Publica, for us, the State (for historical reasons) has always been the enemy.
Italians will probably accept the shenanigans if they perceive it coming from Europe. It will gall them - eventually - if it is perceived as German or German/French.
All the fiscal rigor (more taxes but not cuts) will tend to exacerbate the North - South rift.
But I see disaffection with the whole European dream on the rise even here in what was once the most enthusiastic of the Europa lovers. Eventually a form of religion will take hold: “Hey, we’re not happier. What happened to the families? Where’s mama cooking the meals? Why the hell should we consider men plooking each other up the butt “marriage”... What are those Africans doing rowing the gondolas? Why have all the small privately owned warm and neighborly cafes gone out of business and been replaced by franchises with foreigners wearing name tags? How come it’s not safe anymore? Why is every transaction monitored? Why are those people clogging the streets with their butts in the air banging their heads on the ground? They’ll demand to have Italy back, with all her vices and virtues. Open borders will become truly dangerous with all the Muslims.
Yes, I think people will suddenly realize that life was definitely better in the bad old days and that less can truly and significantly mean more...
“For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul?”
Matthew 16:26
That religious baloney... which shockingly - embarrassingly is 100% true - time and time again (even when it pisses you off because of Northern pride or Southern cynicism).
At the moment, the answer to Europe’s problems is too big and simple to be accepted. So first come the secretive money junkies and technocrats... and then when they fail... there will be a return to the stern but forgiving King who has never failed us. And focus will return. The French Revolution ain’t what we are. Never mind the egalitè and the faux fratermité or the liberté that means “rien” left to lose. Give us back the good, true and beautiful!
Forza Europa!!!
I disagree. Northern countries will roll over. It will be the more nationalist Eastern countries that will rebel (Slovakia eg). They are too recent to Soviet rule to not see what is coming. The scary part is Putin’s popularity is way down and he could use a war and some glory of winming back some of the old bloc for his ratings.