Conference Paper

Discussions on the future of the European Union are booming over the question of whether European nations and states are still on the same course. Multiculturalism has for long been one the corner stones of the European project but recently, there has been more and more doubt of its sustainability. This paper aims to show that multiculturalism is still alive but it needs thorough reconsiderations if it is to be retained. We argue that it is necessary to look more towards a more dynamic model, such as interculturalism or civic integration. Looking into the problem from three levels, we want to show the need for a theoretical and practical rethinking of European national and political relations. Firstly, from the micro level, public opinion polls will be examined to show how people feel about other nations and minorities. Secondly, from the macro level, legal and institutional changes concerning citizenship status and minority rights will be researched, to show the new ways of states’ dealing with the inflow of migrants. Finally, what could be considered as a mid-level, we will look at the political landscape of the European Union, to explore which political parties and coalitions are in power and whether or not it makes a significant shift from the previous decade and the beginning of the twentieth century. The three stated levels of research will provide evidence on the question of the state of multiculturalism in Europe at the moment, which will be discussed from a theoretical overview. It is a matter of the utmost importance due to the recent inflow of migrants and their future status, which is a question on which there is still no agreement at the level of the EU.