Europe’s Southern Neighborhood

In the wake of the wave of change that swept the Arab region, voters in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco have chosen Islamist political parties to lead their governments. How are these incumbents advancing national governance structures and institutions, and what are the challenges they face? Will democratic governance be the new mainstay in these countries?

Photo: © European Union 2013

Youth comprise the majority of the population in the MENA region and were the vanguards of recent uprisings. They raise the need for a new definition of citizenship that provides a clear framework in which the government and its people can interact. How do Islamist governments perceive the concept of citizenship and nationality? How can the independence of the judiciary be promoted to help safeguard citizens’ rights? What is the question of the “balance of power” between state and citizen—how is it addressed and within what context?

Photo: © European Union 2013

The challenge of dealing with the political transition, coupled with deteriorating economic conditions, puts the transition to democracy and economic stability at risk. How are the current governments responding to these economic challenges, and what will be the priorities and the sequencing of economic reforms? Are there any short-term solutions to the youth unemployment crisis? Are the economic policies that are being implemented guided by Islamic doctrine, and, if so, how is this compatible with international private law and WTO rules? How can external actors support the economies in these countries with enough guarantees on the level of free trade?

Photo: © European Union 2013

As countries in the Middle East and North Africa embark on constitutional reform, they face the challenge of providing a legitimate, inclusive constitutional process that will lead to equal power distribution, create an effective system of checks and balances, and ensure fair and equal representation of all societal groups, particularly ethnic and religious minorities. What is needed to build a solid base for peaceful democratic transition? What issues in the constitutional drafting process define the political system, the electoral process, and the wider definition of political rights? What is the place of religion in the constitution, and how will it be addressed?

Western media were quick to paint the Arab Spring as a movement for freedom and human rights. While liberal values are certainly one part of the equation, the Western perspective tends to overlook the underlying socioeconomic dimensions of the transition. How can equal access to economic opportunities be enhanced and widely assured? How can a vibrant media landscape be achieved and protected from censorship?

With the old status quo in the MENA region unraveled, regional powers are playing an increasingly important role in keeping regional stability. With the backdrop of Saudi and Iranian quests for power risking a deepened (religious) divide in the region, can a regional settlement satisfying all parties be envisaged? Can Qatar balance its support for the United States and Iran without risking alienation from both sides? Where do Turkey and Israel stand during this crucial period of transition, and how will they influence the process?

The Arab Spring rapidly upset the regional order, leaving Europe struggling to formulate cohesive and solid policies to react to the changing political and social landscapes. So far, European countries have reacted to the events on an ad hoc basis, lacking a systematic and effective approach toward the Arab Spring. Considering the influence Western powers hold in the region, how can Europe engage effectively with regional actors? What can the Middle Eastern and North African governments expect from the West? What will the new regimes’ foreign policies look like?