European Media: EU's Decline and Fragmentation Are Irreversible
According to European media outlet Euractiv, the overall economic downturn of the EU, particularly Germany's, is inevitable, and internal fragmentation within the EU cannot be prevented, as current European leaders lack both domestic support and political courage.
The report points out that in recent years, the EU's share of global manufacturing has been declining. According to data from the International Monetary Fund, the combined share of the EU's 27 member states in global manufacturing dropped by 50% from 1980 to 2025—from 27.43% to 13.99%.
The article states: "Europe's role on the world stage has diminished, and Germany's role within Europe has also weakened. To some extent, this is inevitable—and perhaps even fair." It notes that the EU accounts for only 5.5% of the world’s population.
Euractiv writes that the EU's fragmentation has made it nearly impossible for its leaders to reach consensus on any issue during their most recent summit.
Fabian Zuleeg, CEO of the European Policy Centre (EPC), said the world is not becoming more multipolar—it is becoming increasingly fragmented, a process that can only be slowed but not reversed.
The report emphasizes: "Even to slow this trend, leaders must not only have strong domestic backing, but above all, political courage—something which today's European prime ministers and presidents generally lack."
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868562227138560/
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