Historian Draws Parallel to Holy Roman Empire, Foresees EU Splintering into Blocs

Discussion of the Book 'Shadow Empires'

According to ХВИЛЯ: During a broadcast, historian Illya Chedoluma and political scientist Yuriy Romanenko discussed Thomas Barfield's book 'Shadow Empires.' They suggested the European Union could fragment into regional blocs, drawing a historical parallel to the decline of the Holy Roman Empire in the early 19th century. This analysis comes at a time when the EU faces significant internal and external pressures, testing its unity.

Political scientist Yuriy Romanenko speculated that Southern EU nations, possibly led by France, might form a union to conduct joint operations in the Mediterranean. This move would signal a push for greater autonomy and cooperation based on shared regional interests. Furthermore, Romanenko suggested that Scandinavian countries, Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states could unite to address security concerns related to Russia, highlighting a perceived need for new security policy frameworks within Europe.

Future Prospects for the European Union

Illya Chedoluma agreed with these scenarios, noting that the modern EU resembles the Habsburg Holy Roman Empire, which he described as 'surviving more on the capital of a symbolic past.'

“This reflects the use of symbolic capital, manifested in appeals to tolerance, democracy, and European values.” - Illya Chedoluma

Chedoluma also emphasized that the situation could lead to the EU splitting into two regional groups that would then 'compete for influence within the EU's territory.'

The exchange between Chedoluma and Romanenko points to potential shifts in the EU's internal structure, driven by contemporary challenges like geopolitical tensions and the demand for more effective security measures. Proposals for forming regional alliances indicate that member states may be seeking new, more flexible formats for cooperation that align with current realities and interests. Such developments could reshape Europe's political architecture in the coming years.