The adoption of the Euro implies that member countries give up their monetary policy tools and to keep a restrained fiscal policy. In short, functions that once belonged to member states revert to Brussels. The sovereign debt crisis with Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal in the 2012-4 period showed the fragility of the monetary union in the absence of fiscal discipline. There are signs that Greece and Italy could again face problems because of the Euro. These pressures, along with Brexit and immigration policy, are putting the bonds of the European Union to test.

a) Do you think it was wise for the Eurozone members to push for the common currency. What have been the pluses and minuses of a common currency?

b) How should the main pillars of the EU, Germany and France, deal with the populist pressures?

c) Do you think that the United Kingdom is better off or worse off after it leaving the EU (BREXIT)?