The EU’s Soft Power in the Wake of Brexit: Continuity or Decline?

The outcome of the 2016 Brexit referendum sent shockwaves through both the UK and the European Union, marking the first time a member state voluntarily chose to leave the Union and challenge its model of supranational governance. This unprecedented decision raised serious concerns about the EU’s credibility and attractiveness, prompting scholars to examine how the Union’s response to Brexit would shape its future trajectory. Extensive research has explored Brexit’s implications for the EU, both in terms of its global standing and its future relationship with the UK. However, an essential question remains: has Brexit altered the EU’s image as an attractive model of governance and integration? This thesis seeks to address this question by analyzing both the debates which emerged in the periods preceding and following the referendum and by providing an examination of how the negotiation process was managed by both actors involved. Moreover, it will assess whether Brexit has affected the Union’s soft power by analyzing the perceptions held by a selected group of actors engaged with the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the enlargement process. Through the analysis of all that has been mentioned above, this thesis aims to determine whether Brexit has had an impact on the EU’s image and on its soft power.