Tinkering with Europe’s borders

In his latest article for the American magazine Foreign Affairs, senior researcher Fabrizio Tassinari argues that Europe’s refugee crisis has changed the standards of acceptable European behavior. What was regarded as unacceptable five years ago, in relation for example to border controls, has become routine today. Decisions are usually taken nationally, and EU institutions are simply presented with a fait accompli. He explains that the ongoing renationalization of European politics needs not necessarily entail a militarization of borders and securitization of the state. It can also mean that Europe’s political center has shifted, and that for Europe’s project to now succeed, that ground must be reclaimed. The case of German refugee policy sketched in the article provides some pointers.