Europe’s crises and the EU’s ‘big three’

Abstract

This article examines the impact and significance of the Crimea–Ukraine–Russia and the eurozone crises on relations among and between the EU’s three biggest member states – Britain, France and Germany – as well as their individual influence and roles within the EU. The Ukraine and eurozone crises have revealed and intensified three longer-term developments in contemporary European politics: Germany’s rise as the EU’s most powerful member state and its role as Europe’s indispensable policy broker; the resilience and centrality of Franco-German bilateralism, despite the growing power imbalance separating the two; and Britain’s diminished and diminishing role in EU affairs. To put the current period of turmoil in perspective, this article also aims to contribute to a better understanding of the operating logic of crisis, continuity and change in the relations of the EU’s big three member states.