The erosion of the European integration process due to certain restrictions of the free movement of persons

Abstract

According to the Maastricht Treaty, the EU has to strengthen the rights and interests of the European nationals through the introduction of a citizenship of the Union. In this regard, we have to highlight that the free movement of citizens, which is the core right of the EU citizenship, has been in the spotlight during these last years as domestic temporary constraints have been recently imposed by some member States against the population of other European partners, despite the fact that the mentioned right has not only achieved economic benefits, but also paved the way for a common European identity. Why has this happened? Has the UE implemented appropriate measures in order to guarantee this freedom? On the contrary, has the EU’s outlook changed due to, among other reasons, the on-going financial crisis that started in 2007? Either way, these national policies do interfere with the main objectives of the single market. Moreover, they severely undermine the very essence of the EU. Consequently, does this mean its denaturalization?