Together Rather Than Alone

What does the EU bring to our daily lives? In other words, what happens when a country no longer belongs to the EU? Answers from different perspectives – illustrated by illustrators from all over Europe.

Common public Illustration: © Anna Haifisch

Common public
 We have to talk

In the debates surrounding the euro crisis, some saw the birth of a European public. The European elections in 2014 were followed by disillusionment. What if the EU didn’t exist – would we then be more likely to debate together?

Capital 2 Illustration: © Karolien Vanderstappen

EU institutions
 The capital

For Brussels, the EU means above all one thing: plenty of jobs. What if "the capital of Europe", and with it cities like Luxembourg or Strasbourg, were suddenly without EU institutions?

Roaming Illustration: © Giulia Gardelli

Roaming
 Call me maybe

Whether at home or abroad: since 2017, you pay the same tariff in the EU for telephone calls and mobile data. What if there were still high roaming charges in countries like Italy?

Erasmus – with and without the EU Illustration © SOWATORINI Landschaft

Erasmus
 Better studying

The EU Erasmus program makes it easier for students to spend a semester abroad. This also benefits many cities. What if the Erasmus program were cut short or completely discontinued?

Borders Illustration: © Goethe-Institut / Ricardo Cabral

Schengen Area
 Over all borders

Anyone crossing national borders within the EU will no longer encounter turnpikes. Since 1995, the Schengen Agreement has ensured freedom of travel. What if border controls were reintroduced everywhere?

Agricultural subsidies Illustration: © Sara Quod

Agricultural subsidies
 A piece of culture

France was the initiator of the PAC, the common agricultural policy in the EU. Today PAC ensures the diversity of food in many countries. What if the common agricultural policy were completely abandoned?

Pensions Illustration: © Daniel Montero Galán

Pensions
 Under the sun

Many older Britons have settled in Spain to enjoy the sun: the EU ensures that citizens of EU member states can receive their pensions abroad. What if the British are no longer part of the EU?

Research in the EU Illustration: © Ella Frances Sanders

Research
 A short history of EU funds

Stephen Hawking already knew: Brexit is also bad for British researchers. What if they had to forego EU funds in the future?

EU subsidies
 The small state and the sea

Latvia has benefited from economic support as has no other EU member. What if the Baltic country had never received it?

Never too small to make a difference Illustration: Nina Haiko

Environmental protection
 Fridays for Finland

When Finland takes over the presidency of the EU this summer, climate policy will be at the top of the agenda. What if the country didn’t have this influence?

About the author

Eric Bonse © private Eric Bonse is a freelance journalist and EU correspondent for “taz. die tageszeitung” and has been working in Brussels since 2004; previously he worked in Paris for seven years. He runs the blog “Lost in EUrope”.

At the end of 2018 he published his e-book “Der verhinderte Neustart – Ist die EU noch reformierbar?” (The Hindered New Start – Is the EU still reformable?).
 

Back to "Europe"