Citizens in ‘an ever-closer union’? The long path to a public sphere in the EU

As Europe is facing a continuous financial and, for many, political and social crisis, long-standing issues of European identity, solidarity and democracy reappear more pronounced than before. In these times, often, the historical developments that have given rise to questioning the European project, its legitimacy and potential future, as well as the treatment of these questions by its political and executive helm are not adequately understood. The role of a European ‘common space’ in terms of debate but also in political action and direction is inextricably connected to the question of legitimacy of the EU and, often, conflicting visions about its raison d’ etre. Historically, the creation of an EU public sphere has been confused with distinct goals of political mobilization for electoral purposes. The strategies developed to advance a broader – and ultimately deeper – sense of belonging have been idealistic, insufficient and muddled owing to lack of political vision and resources. Contextualizing this historical ‘baggage’ with reference to the legacy of invisibility and transparency, the article reviews the politics behind strategic communication of the EU towards its citizens in the shape of Plan D, the Lisbon Treaty’s citizen initiative and the development of EU media policy constrained by ambiguous and volatile relations between the EU and the media.