Dublin and Schengen: A tale of two cities. EPC Discussion Paper, 15 June 2018

De Somer, Marie (2018) Dublin and Schengen: A tale of two cities. EPC Discussion Paper, 15 June 2018. [Discussion Paper]

PDF - Published Version Download (516Kb)

Abstract

Dublin and Schengen, two of the European Union’s (EU) oldest and most fundamental accomplishments have come under pressure since the large influx of refugees in 2015. As the two systems were, from their very inception, closely linked to one another, it bears no surprise that problems in one (Dublin) have spilled over into the other (Schengen). This paper looks back at the systems’ historical and systemic connections. It then traces the sequence of events which put them under strain and, subsequently, assesses the current state of affairs. On that basis, it argues that in the absence of political leadership, both in the context of the ongoing Dublin reforms and on the Schengen side, where internal border controls are upheld long passed any reasonable policy justification, the two systems risk going down together. This would, in turn, worsen an already sceptic public perception of the EU’s added value in the context of managing the movement of people across borders. While problems in the Dublin system have received much public attention already, a continued or worsening situation in Schengen will pose further problems to the EU’s legitimacy among its citizens, for whom the ‘free movement of people, goods and services’ represents the Union’s most positive achievement

Actions (login required)