Open borders defy rising nationalism in Europe. We must protect them | Alexander Hurst
Reimposing passport checks in the Schengen area creates new political lines in our minds – and that poses its own danger
With so many economic and political challenges looming, the EU nevertheless began 2025 with a little bit of its old magic and a reminder that it’s here to do far more than simply react. At the stroke of midnight on 1 January, a dog crossed the border between Romania and Hungary, and like all the people to follow it, nope, it didn’t have to show ID. As of 2025, Romania and Bulgaria are full members of the Schengen area – that counterintuitive dismantling of borders that refuses to be snuffed out in an age of rising nationalism.
The quote “we have made Europe, now we must make Europeans” is often apocryphally attributed to Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of the European Union. Even if he never actually said it, the “making” of Europeans is tangible in two ways. Both have to do with movement. Erasmus – the scheme that lent its name to a whole generation of students for whom it opened Europe’s doors – and the Schengen agreement, which eliminated physical borders between most countries in the EU.
Alexander Hurst is a Guardian Europe columnist
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
IDF restricts media coverage of soldiers to protect them from risk of legal action
Israeli military’s new rules intended to protect reservists travelling overseas from facing allegations of war crimes. The Israeli military has placed new restrictions on media coverage of soldiers ...The Guardian - 19h -
EU leaders warn Trump not to meddle with Europe’s borders
Comments from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French foreign minister follow US president-elect’s Greenland threatsFinancial Times - 1d -
Germany leader: All countries must respect existing borders, in rebuttal of Trump
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says the principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country, however powerfulABC News - 1d -
Mexico drops migrants in troubled resort as it disperses them far from US border
Two weeks ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration, Mexico continues dissolving attention-grabbing migrant caravans and dispersing migrants throughout the country to keep them ...ABC News - 2d -
Open: This is "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Jan. 5, 2025
This week on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Senate Majority Leader John Thune joins to discuss the GOP's priorities with President-elect Donald Trump coming into the White House, while ...CBS News - 4d -
Secularists must remember that religion is on the rise
Western rationalists have always assumed that atheism is the logical end point of prosperity. But I’m no longer so sureFinancial Times - 5d -
Biden to create new national monuments protecting tribal land in California
President Biden will dedicate two new national monuments protecting tribal lands in California on Tuesday, two sources with knowledge confirmed to The Hill. Biden will designate the Chuckwalla ...The Hill - 5d -
Trump blames ‘open borders’ for New Orleans, Las Vegas attacks
President-elect Trump blamed the situation at the southern border for the recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, railing against President Biden for his immigration policies as both cases are ...The Hill - Jan. 2 -
‘Extraordinary longevity’: great whales can live a lot longer than we thought – if we leave them alone
Bowhead whales may not be the only species that can live to 200 years old. Researchers have found that the industrial hunting of great whales has masked the ability of these underwater giants to ...The Guardian - Jan. 2
More from The Guardian
-
California fires live updates: death toll likely to rise, says LA county sheriff, as blazes caused by ‘perfect storm’ rage on
Nearly 180,000 people under evacuation orders across LA county as emergency crews battle on against flames; Pacific Palisades fire described as ‘apocalyptic’. Full report: wildfires continue to ...The Guardian - 9m -
Meta has ‘heard the message’ from Trump, says whistleblower Frances Haugen
Mark Zuckerberg’s move to end factchecking in US reflects president-elect’s views on social media, says Haugen. Mark Zuckerberg has “heard the message” from Donald Trump on restricting online ...The Guardian - 4h -
Joe Biden hails Jimmy Carter’s character in eulogy at memorial service celebrating former president’s long life – latest updates
President speaks as thousands gather for former president’s funeral service at Washington national cathedral before he is laid to rest in Georgia. Members of the military have carried Jimmy ...The Guardian - 17m -
Greenland’s prime minister calls for calm after Trump comments
Pro-independence Múte Egede says Greenland must stay unified after becoming centre of US-Denmark spat. Greenland’s prime minister has called for unity, urging citizens not to panic, after being ...The Guardian - 2h -
Zelenskyy urges western allies ‘not to drop ball’ when Trump returns
Ukrainian leader appeals for sustained military support as US president-elect seeks ‘new chapter’ in Europe. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukraine’s western allies “not to drop the ball” and to ...The Guardian - 2h
More in World
-
California fires live updates: death toll likely to rise, says LA county sheriff, as blazes caused by ‘perfect storm’ rage on
Nearly 180,000 people under evacuation orders across LA county as emergency crews battle on against flames; Pacific Palisades fire described as ‘apocalyptic’. Full report: wildfires continue to ...The Guardian - 9m -
Everton v Peterborough, Fulham v Watford, and more: FA Cup third round – live
Sean Dyche sacked as Everton manager by new owners Live scoreboard | Read Football Daily | And email Taha Sheffield United: Davies, Gilchrist, Baptiste, Norrington-Davies, Burrows, ...The Guardian - 10m -
Italian mayor pledges to stop sale of Neapolitan islet to speculators
Bacoli mayor says his administration will purchase Punta Pennata and turn it into an ‘open-air museum’. An Italian mayor has vowed to do everything in his power to stop Punta Pennata – a slice of ...The Guardian - 16m -
Joe Biden hails Jimmy Carter’s character in eulogy at memorial service celebrating former president’s long life – latest updates
President speaks as thousands gather for former president’s funeral service at Washington national cathedral before he is laid to rest in Georgia. Members of the military have carried Jimmy ...The Guardian - 17m -
Uruguay's iconic ex-President Jose Mujica says his cancer has spread and that he's dying
Uruguay’s former guerilla-turned-president, José Mujica, has announced that the cancer in his esophagus had spread to his liver, and that he had chosen to forgo further treatmentABC News - 18m