British and Swiss rejections of the new EU external governance

Abstract

This article seeks to establish whether the British and Swiss objections to the new European external governance reveal an increasing intransigence on the part of the EU. The question arises because, almost for the first time in history, the EU schemes to manage its neighbourhood are facing serious setbacks. This analysis shows, however, that the failures of the EU proposals for a "deal" with the United Kingdom and for an institutional agreement with Switzerland are not the result of an increase in the EU intransigence. The detailed study of the two agreements with London and Bern demonstrates that they do not contain any real new requirements compared to the previous agreements concluded by the EU. Thus, the British and Swiss reluctances stem mainly from the specificities of these two countries and the perception by a large part of their populations that they can resist pressure from the EU.