History UsefulNotes / TheEuropeanUnion

In 2010 Russia decided to [[StartMyOwn start its own]] trade union in the form of the Customs Union, hoping to rival the EU. It began with just Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as members, but started to raise the EU's ire after luring Armenia to join it in 2013 when the country would otherwise have had a free-trade deal with the EU (apparently it's incredibly difficult, but maybe not impossible, to have ties with both trade unions). Attempts to draw Ukraine into this union seem to have rather decisively died after their pro-Russian president was overthrown in a revolution and Russia responded by annexing the Ukrainian province of Crimea.

The EU. No, not the ExpandedUniverse EU, the European Union EU.

There are also certain nations who have a detached relationship with the EU. Switzerland has a unique deal with the EU which the EU regrets allowing them to have.[[note]]And if this [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_immigration_referendum,_February_2014 referendum]] is anything to go by, the Swiss may also be sick of being part of the deal.[[/note]] It is completely surrounded by the EU though, but its historic neutrality leads it to want to stay out. Norway is also not a member, but like Switzerland it is in EEA (European Economic Area) and EFTA (European Free Trade Area). The upshot of this is that these two countries have to implement EU regulations (mostly on product standards and trade), but don't have any say in how the regulations are made; in exchange for this, they enjoy a privileged access to the EU free trade zone, which considerably boosts their economy and comes with various other cooperation programs.

Scotland wanted to have this status if it decided to formally become a separate country from the rest of the UK in 2014, whilst it was still a memebr, but the EU wasn't very positive about them automatically having said status, and it became a moot point since the referendum ended with a narrow victory for the "No" camp... until the UK itself voted to leave in a separate referendum a couple years later, and eventually left, forcing Scotland to (re-)join the EU from outside should it ever be willing and able to do so.

The EU is currently trying to work out where to go next. Attempts to write a new constitution for the EU were categorically rejected by French and Dutch referenda, and the Treaty of Lisbon (said to be very similar to the constitution) was rejected by the Irish in 2008; they un-rejected it in September 2009. Note that there was no agreed-upon way for a member state to ''leave'' the EU prior to the Treaty of Lisbon, which codified the withdrawal process in Article 50 of that treaty. Ironically, the first (and so far only) country to invoke Article 50, the United Kingdom, almost certainly would have voted the treaty down in a referendum, which had been a manifesto commitment by UsefulNotes/TonyBlair's Labour government in the 2005 general election. Had Blair (and his successor UsefulNotes/GordonBrown) not reneged on that commitment, the subsequent (and successful) referendum to leave the EU might not have even been legally ''possible'', let alone seen a different result.

Croatia is the most recent state to join. A number of other countries are interested in joining, most notably Turkey. Others include Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

In 2010 Russia decided to [[StartMyOwn start its own]] trade union in the form of the Customs Union, hoping to rival the EU. It began with just Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as members, but started to raise the EU's ire after luring Armenia to join it in 2013 when the country would otherwise have had a free-trade deal with the EU (apparently it's incredibly difficult, but maybe not impossible, to have ties with both trade unions). Attempts to draw Ukraine into this union seem to have rather decisively died after their pro-Russian president was overthrown and Russia responded by annexing the Ukrainian province of Crimea.

A number of other countries are interested in joining, most notably Turkey. Others include Iceland, Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia. Croatia is the most recent state to join. Ukraine was interested for a time, but had second thoughts after pressure from Russia. This sparked a lot of protests within Ukraine, however.

* UsefulNotes/{{Finland}} -- joined in 1995 and is frequently rated as one of the best countries in the world to live. Depicted as NorseByNorsewest, but maintains that it belongs to a different cultural tradition. The distinguishing characteristics of its own one are snow, alcohol and self-pity. Has a national inferiority complex, uses being full of rocks, trees and water as its main attraction, is relatively large and sparsely populated, too damn cold and too damn dark; is thus the local equivalent of Canada. Every one of its residents may or may not be [[Webcomic/ScandinaviaAndTheWorld switchblade-carrying black magicians according to the Danes]]. Famous exports include metal bands by the bucketful, including but not limited to Music/{{Lordi}}, Music/{{Nightwish}}, and Music/SonataArctica. Notable contributions to the world include the MolotovCocktail, the SaunaOfDeath, several great racing drivers, and [[UsefulNotes/SimoHayha history's most deadly sniper ever]]. Also, electronics and computer technology--MySQL, IRC, and Linux were all developed by Finns, and it's also the birthplace of cell phone company Nokia. [[Theatre/{{Spamalot}} That's the country for me!]]

There are also certain nations who have a detached relationship with the EU. Switzerland has a unique deal with the EU which the EU regrets allowing them to have.[[note]]And if this [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_immigration_referendum,_February_2014 referendum]] is anything to go by, the Swiss may also be sick of being part of the deal.[[/note]] It is completely surrounded by the EU though, but its historic neutrality leads it to want to stay out. Norway is also not a member, but like Switzerland it is in EEA (European Economic Area) and EFTA (European Free Trade Area). The upshot of this is that these two countries have to implement EU regulations (mostly on product standards and trade), but don't have any say in how the regulations are made.

* UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} -- see OliveGarden for Italy tropes. Famous for its artistic and cultural contributions to history, and its cuisine (yes, pasta), as well as the home of Roman Catholicism (although the Vatican City is actually a separate country) and the Italian [[TheMafia Mafia]]. Is not the Roman Empire, but has bits of it laying around. Founder member.

After the Second World War, the countries of Western Europe (Central and Eastern Europe were too busy becoming CommieLand) decided that to prevent another war, they would need to ensure common control of the vital industries (coal and steel) needed to fight a war and that Europe should be unified. In 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community was formed. OneThingLedToAnother (not in that way) and in 1957, the European Community was formed with six members, or so the official story goes.

* The President of the European Commission -- kind of a prime minister, holding the most executive power. Currently held by Jean-Claude Juncker.
* The President of the European Council -- kind of a representative president, but the job description is still a bit murky at the time. Currently held by Donald Tusk. The Anglophone media often calls him "President of The European Union", [[InsistentTerminology which both he and the Brussels administration say is not true]].
* The High Representative -- kind of a foreign minister, the person [[ChekhovsGunman Mr. Kissinger]] should call. Currently held by Federica Mogherini.

The EU today is essentially a free trade and movement area (with a lot of common standards, including electricity at 230 V plus or minus 10%, although this isn't really a variation from previous standards used and old toasters still work), but also covers a considerable number of other areas, such as social policy, the environment and increasingly foreign affairs. The mantra is "free movement of people, goods, capital and services". You can emigrate and work freely within the Union (as well as vote in local and European elections wherever you live) -- between certain countries, you don't even need a national ID. This group of countries are the "Schengen Countries" you might see referred to in airports -- although it's worth noting that this is not specifically an EU thing, and some countries, notably Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, are in the Schengen area but not the EU; and vice-versa, Britain and Ireland are not.[[note]]Ireland wants to be in it, but to do so would mean that the British would either have to join - [[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/china-business/10060032/Schengen-visa-campaign-waste-of-time.html#disqus_thread which they'll never do]] -- or create a physical border -- which neither nation wants to do.[[/note]]

The EEC has changed considerably since then. It's undergone two changes in name and several enlargements of membership.

Today the EU has 28[[labelnote:*]]Will become 27 once the UK leaves[[/labelnote]] members:

* [[UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} The United Kingdom]] -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies, [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU, which passed 52% to 48%, and are scheduled to leave on 31st January 2020. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further.

Scotland wanted to have this status if it decided to formally become a separate country from the rest of the UK in 2014, but the EU wasn't very positive about them automatically having said status, and it has become a moot point since the referendum ended with a narrow victory for the "No" camp. However, following the Brexit vote (in which Scotland voted to remain in the EU while England and Wales voted to leave) there has been some clamoring from both Scottish [=MEPs=] and the Scottish government to either be admitted to the EU as a sovereign nation following British withdrawal or to get a say (and possible veto) in any negotiations about a British withdrawal from the EU.

* UsefulNotes/TheCzechRepublic -- also a 2004 entry. Formerly CommieLand, when it was part of Czechoslovakia. Prefers to think of itself as "Central Europe" than "Eastern Europe". Literary greats Creator/FranzKafka, [[TheUnbearableLightnessOfBeing Milan Kundera]], and Václav Havel (who became the country's first president) are from here, although Kafka might have looked at you funny if you had called him Czech (he was a German-speaking Jew). Mostly famous for its beautiful capital, Prague.

* ''{{Literature/Beatles}}'', a Norwegian novel written in 1983, tells the story of four teenage boys living in Oslo in {{the sixties}}. The debate heating up to the referendum keeping Norway ''outside'' the then-EEC, features prominently in the last chapters, as the main story ends referendum night, September 25 1972. The standing result of 53,7 percent for the "no" side is a {{happy ending}} in the book. Quite ironic in hindsight when describing the lasting sentiment in the same country that later handed the NobelPeacePrize to the same union.

* [[UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} The United Kingdom]] -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies, [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU, which passed 52% to 48%, but they have yet to leave as of November 2019. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further.

Today the EU has 28[[labelnote: *]]Under the terms of Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the United Kingdom will automatically leave the EU no later than 31 October 2019 (previously scheduled for 29 March, 2 April and 22 May) but until then (or the coming into force of an exit deal, whichever comes first) remains a full member [[/labelnote]] members:

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business, especially as it became clear the Government didn't really have any plan about how to implement this and it became blatantly obvious many of the things Leave promised couldn't actually be implemented. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and was planned to come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal - according to e court ruling, the UK actually ''can'' unilaterally revoke Brexit without any other EU member getting a say[[/note]]which were all seen as highly unlikely at the beginning of the process; however, the UK government's procrastination over the issue and a Parliament so thoroughly divided by this point as to be unable to form a majority for any course of action has forced an extension to actually happen. Currently, the exit has been indefinitely extended to allow people to hash out some kind of deal - but no breakthrough is forthcoming and at this point most people have no idea what the outcome will be, much to the chagrin of international and national business.

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business, especially as it became clear the Government didn't really have any plan about how to implement this and it became blatantly obvious many of the things Leave promised couldn't actually be implemented. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and was planned to come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal - according to e court ruling, the UK actually ''can'' unilaterally revoke Brexit without any other EU member getting a say[[/note]]which were all seen as highly unlikely at the beginning of the process; however, the UK government's procrastination over the issue and a Parliament so thoroughly divided by this point as to be unable to form a majority for any course of action has forced an extension to actually happen. The new cutoff point is the 31st of October or some time beforehand if UK politicians can thrash out a compromise early - but no breakthrough is forthcoming and at this point most people have no idea what the outcome will be, much to the chagrin of international and national business.

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and was planned to come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal - according to e court ruling, the UK actually ''can'' unilaterally revoke Brexit without any other EU member getting a say[[/note]]which were all seen as highly unlikely at the beginning of the process; however, the UK government's procrastination over the issue and a Parliament so thoroughly divided by this point as to be unable to form a majority for any course of action has forced an extension to actually happen. The new cutoff point is the 31st of October or some time beforehand if UK politicians can thrash out a compromise early - but no breakthrough is forthcoming and at this point most people have no idea what the outcome will be, much to the chagrin of international and national business.

Today the EU has 28[[labelnote: *]]Under the terms of Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the United Kingdom will automatically leave the EU no later than [s]29 March 2019[/s][s]2nd April 2019[/s]22 May 2019, but until then (or the coming into force of an exit deal, whichever comes first) remains a full member [[/labelnote]] members:

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and will come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal - according to e court ruling, the UK actually ''can'' unilaterally revoke Brexit without any other EU member getting a say[[/note]]which are all seen as highly unlikely.

* The ''Series/DoctorWho'' story ''[[DoctorWhoS9E2TheCurseOfPeladon The Curse of Peladon]]'' is generally held to be an allegory around the British accession to the then-EEC.

A number of other countries are interested in joining, most notably Turkey. Others include Iceland, Serbia, Albania, and Macedonia. Croatia is the most recent state to join. Ukraine was interested for a time, but had second thoughts after pressure from Russia. This sparked a lot of protests within Ukraine, however.

Today the EU has 28[[labelnote: *]]Under the terms of Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, the United Kingdom will automatically leave the EU no later than 29 March 2019, but until then (or the coming into force of an exit deal, whichever comes first) remains a full member [[/labelnote]] members:

The EU's institutional structure is pretty complex, but its main bodies are the European Commission (nominated by the national governments and confirmed by the European Parliament, they draw up the policy and initiate legislation), the European Council (who are the heads of government of the 27 member states; they negotiate treaties and set broad goals), the Council of Ministers (made up of the ministers from each member state, they meet in policy-related groups, and are responsible for examining and making decisions on Commission proposals), the elected European Parliament (who pass, amend or reject proposed legislation along with the Council of Ministers, and do investigations) and the European Court of Justice (who can strike down national laws contrary to EU treaties and law). Which institutions take priority in decision making depends on the policy area, for example, in competition policy the Commission is influential, whereas in foreign policy the member states are the main actors. There was somewhat of a [[{{Foreshadowing}} problem with working out who precisely is in charge]], as Henry Kissinger (he's still alive, surprisingly) once commented.

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and will come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal [[/note]]which are all seen as highly unlikely.

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[Creator/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and will come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal [[/note]]which are all seen as highly unlikely.

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being close with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[UsefulNotes/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and will come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal [[/note]]which are all seen as highly unlikely.

* UsefulNotes/{{France}} -- A founder member. Along with Germany, basically runs the show--though Brussels has the final veto. Known for breadsticks, berets and country estates on the Riviera and [[FrenchJerk rudeness to tourists]]. [[CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys Has a reputation for not doing well in wars]] (which isn't very accurate, given this is the country of UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte). Once had a huge empire second only to Britain's. GayParee covers France tropes in general. Currently playing the "[[GoodCopBadCop Good Cop]]" to Germany's bad cop in the Greece situation.

* UsefulNotes/{{Britain}} -- properly, the United Kingdom -- see UsefulNotes/BritishPoliticalSystem. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically [[UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle Charles de Gaulle]]) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[FrenchJerk Twice]]. Known for being HeterosexualLifePartners with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in), [[ASpotOfTea tea]] and for possessing the largest [[UsefulNotes/TheBritishEmpire empire]] ever. Has quite easily the most [[UsefulNotes/WithEuropeButNotOFIt antagonistic relationship]] with the Union due to its status as an island nation and its pride for the many contributions its people have given the world such as [[UsefulNotes/WilliamShakespeare Shakespeare]], among other things. In 2016, it held a referendum on whether it would leave the EU. Due to how passionate many are on either side of the issue, it will be [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment best]] if the issue is not discussed further. For the record, LEAVE won, 52% to 48%. Cue OhCrap from the stock markets, Brussels, and a lot of British business. The formal exit process was initiated by the British government on 29 March 2017 and will come into force exactly two years from that date, barring a number of potential scenarios[[note]]the coming into force of an exit deal at an earlier date; an extension of exit negotiations, which must be unanimously agreed by all 27 remaining member states; an attempt of disputed legality by Britain to unilaterally revoke its previous notice of withdrawal [[/note]]which are all seen as highly unlikely.

* UsefulNotes/{{Germany}} -- The one everybody owes money to. Being the most populous country in Europe (not counting Russia), it's diverse enough to have two separate tropes dedicated to it -- {{Oktoberfest}} and UsefulNotes/{{Prussia}} (which has largely merged into the former). The [[UsefulNotes/WestGermany Western part]] was a founder member of the EU, the [[UsefulNotes/EastGermany Eastern part]] automatically joined on reunification, since it no longer existed. It has a female Chancellor (complete with PowerHair) and [[strike:still uses]] until recently used conscription. Obsessed with high inflation (the German word for debt is "guilt") and very keen on austerity measures.

* After the war in ''Literature/TheThirdWorldWar'', the European Community expands to incorporate the former WarsawPact states. A system of "triple taxation" is proposed -- taxes are divided into three: local taxes, a European-wide tax and taxes you pay to whatever nation you identify with. It is also decided that since Brussels is too central, two new cities will be built on the ruins of Birmingham and Minsk (destroyed by nuclear weapons), called Peace City West and Peace City East respectively.