Breakfast debate on “Brexit” on Thursday 2 June at Café Le Procope: Will the UK remain in the EU?

The date of the referendum on whether Britain should “leave or remain in the European Union” is looming. On Thursday, 23 June, Britons will cast a historic vote, both for their own future, and that of Europe. This vote will take place as the European Union is enduring a difficult “poly-crisis”, according to the meaningful expression of the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Indeed, the “Brexit” threat collides with the refugee crisis amid strained political systems, resulting in core European principles and achievements being severely tested. How did David Cameron’s precarious pledge to hold a referendum come about, and what is the current nature of the debate in the UK? What are the alternatives to a UK membership of the EU? Can a “Brexit” really be perceived as a rational option? What will happen after the vote (whether it’s a Yes or a No) and how will this result affect European integration?

To explore answers to these important questions, the Association of the London School of Economics in France is pleased to invite you to a debate (in French) over breakfast at Café Le Procope on Thursday, 2 June alongside Ms Pauline Schnapper, Professor of Contemporary British Civilisation at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris III) and Thierry Chopin, Head of Research at the Robert Schuman Foundation, a leading think-tank on Europe.

The event will start at 8h30 and finish at 10h00. The Procope is one of the oldest cafés in Paris (http://www.procope.com/le-restaurant/). It is located on 13, rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, in the heart of Saint-Germain des Près (Métro Odéon). Guests will be assembled in a dedicated private room upstairs. They will be welcomed from 8h15 (please be on time).

The debate will be moderated by Olivier Marty (2008), Treasurer of ALSE France, who has recently published a column on “Brexit” in Les Echos: http://www.lesechos.fr/idees-debats/editos-analyses/021852288347-le-projet-europeen-sera-plus-fort-que-le-brexit-1215620.php

Places for this event are limited and prices vary according to your membership status:

• Active ALSE France members (with 2016 membership fees effectively paid) will only pay a discount price of 10 EUR.

• Non active ALSE France members and guests (who did not pay their 2016 membership fees) will pay 20 EUR.

Tickets may be purchased by credit card. If you have trouble registering, please contact Olivier Marty : oliviermarty@hotmail.com

About the speakers

Thierry Chopin holds a PhD in political science from the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS, Paris). He has been Head of Research at the Robert Schuman Foundation since 2005 and he is visiting professor at the College of Europe, Bruges. Thierry is a CERI associate expert and a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics (European Institute). He is the coeditor, with Michel Foucher, of the Schuman Report on Europe, State of the Union 2016 - http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/bookshop/0211-the-schuman-report-on-europe-state-of-the-union-2016. He has also published several policy papers on the Brexit issue, including (with Christian Lequesne, eds.) “Brexit: is a compromise possible between the UK and the member states?” CERI-Robert Schuman Foundation: http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0368-brexit-is-a-compromise-possible-between-the-uk-and-the-member-states

Ms Pauline Schnapper is a Professor of Contemporary British Civilisation at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris III). A leading observer of contemporary British politics and the Brexit debate, she has published several books and articles, including “Le Royaume-Uni: doit-il quitter l'Union européenne?”  (La Documentation Française, 2014), which is available here: http://www.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/informations/espace-presse/communiques-de-presse/cp000272-le-royaume-uni-doit-il-sortir-de-l-union-europeenne ) and at the Robert Schuman Foundation “The Debate about Brexit in the UK”, which is available here:

http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0368-brexit-is-a-compromise-possible-between-the-uk-and-the-member-states