I don't get it. They were getting along just fine with each other, being good neighbors, etc., but now they think that being a good neighbor means marrying your neighbor. Silly. This is going to cost them a lot, you can't just cram different nations into each other and not have friction and fire (unless you apply selective brutality).
Yes.. the European people were left out of this process and many feel very awkward the way to EU is going forward without popular support. When the economy turns sour, I wonder whether this new form of union can keep together when it’s built on such fragile foundation..
I think you are right, and I think it will be the eruption of new nationalisms.
I have believed and continue to believe that this will lead to a European civil war. Also, IMO, it’s the perfect opportunity for the rise of a strong leader.