Secession within the Union Intersection Points of International and European Law

Abstract

With the referenda on possible Scottish and Catalan independence and the electoral successes of the Flemish pro-independence movement, secession of part of a EU Member State has become a real possibility that cannot be ignored any longer. The driving forces behind the referenda seek independence but they do not seek withdrawal from the Union. This is a scenario without precedent. An exploration of its legal and political aspects is therefore a timely matter. In this collection of think pieces a number of experts from both public international law and European Union law present their thoughts on key aspects of Secession within the Union.

Keywords: international law, European law, secession, succession, EU membership, independence, citizenship, treaty amendment, statehood

JEL Classification: K33, K39