How Eastern Europe is shaking up the EU's multicultural ambitions

The European Union is grappling with a widening divide over its identity, with a major report this week exposing tensions between ethnic nationalism and values centred on inclusivity and diversity. These two contrasting visions of Europe appear to be on a collision course, especially in newer members of the bloc.

Central and Eastern European countries are increasingly questioning the multicultural ideals promoted by Western Europe, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) conclude.

Their report, published on Wednesday, suggests that these countries, which joined the EU more recently, are challenging the bloc’s self-image by highlighting a more ethnic and nationalist view of European identity.

Entitled Welcome to Barbieland – a nod to the rose-tinted "Barbieland" in Greta Gerwig's 2023 blockbuster film – the report identifies three key "blind spots" across the bloc and argues their intersection risks eroding or radically altering EU sentiment.

Euroscepticism might stem from a sense of humiliation at having to conform to Western standards, the report's author, Pawel Zerka, told RFI – adding this sentiment has evolved significantly in recent years.

"It's as if Central and Eastern Europe had to prove that they're sufficiently European, and as if it were Brussels, Paris and Berlin that had to say, 'Yeah, you are good Europeans now, because you have reformed your countries like we told you to'."

Goodbye UK, hello Ukraine

Read more on RFI English

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