Redefining Europe’s Position in an Age of Power Politics
Insights of the EFA365 panel discussion held on the 25th of April at the Delphi Economic Forum XI.
How can Europe respond to a world increasingly shaped by power politics, strategic competition, and coercion?
This question stood at the centre of the EFA365 panel discussion held on the 25th of April at the Delphi Economic Forum XI.
The Delphi Economic Forum is a nonprofit organization promoting international democratic dialogue that shapes national and regional agendas, with a particular focus on the Eastern Mediterranean and Southern Europe. Taking place in the historic town of Delphi, the Forum’s setting reflects its purpose: a place where centuries of heritage meet forward-looking ideas.
The panel
Within this setting, the European Forum Alpbach organized a EFA365 panel discussion on, "Redefining Europe’s Position in an Age of Power Politics", moderated by Maria Demertzis, member of the EFA Strategic Advisory Board and Professor of Economic Policy a the Florence School of Transnational Governance.
The speakers
The panel featured
- Arancha González Laya, Co-Chair of the EFA International Advisory Board and Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po
- Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner (2014-2019), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2012-2013), Member of the Hellenic Parliament
- Leslie Vinjamuri, President and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs
- Kiril Petkov, Former Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2021-2022), Volacom, Member of the NGIC Bulgaria
Their discussion tackled a central challenge: how can Europe reposition itself in a world where geopolitical competition is once again shaping global relations?
Economic weight, fragmented power
A shared diagnosis emerged early in the discussion: Europe retains significant economic weight, but its geopolitical influence is constrained by fragmentation and limited strategic coherence.
Arancha González Laya stressed that Europe needs both economic strength and credible deterrence. She pointed to insufficiently integrated defence industrial capacity and the absence of a shared strategic approach to deterrence. Deterrence, she noted, is about the ability to prevent aggression through credible defence capabilities and coordination.
From soft power to hard power
During the discussion, Dimitris Avramopoulos similarly argued that Europe can no longer rely on soft power alone – hard power is becoming increasingly central.
He underlined that the way forward lies in developing a common European defence policy, underpinned by a shared defence budget. Ultimately, he argued, the discussion is about political will: whether Europe is prepared to move beyond national interests to build collective scale, coherence, and effectiveness.
Credibility beyond capability
Leslie Vinjamuri offered an important perspective: Europe should not base its strategic decisions on assumptions about shifting US political rhetoric or expectations. US public opinion remains still broadly supportive of alliances, even if political messaging seems inconsistent.
She emphasised the importance of understanding the longer-term continuity in transatlantic relations. When Europe under-communicates its own capabilities, it risks allowing narratives of weakness to take hold. Credibility, she argued, depends on both capacity and legitimacy and requires more effective public communication of Europe’s role and strengths.
Lessons from Bulgaria
Illustrating how quickly dependencies can be reshaped in practice, Kiril Petkov described Bulgaria’s rapid shift away from Russian energy dependence through cooperation with EU and international partners, particularly in the period following the 2022 energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Bulgaria demonstrated a broader lesson: dependency is not purely structural but also psychological. Crises can break perceived constraints, revealing that diversification is possible when political decisions are taken decisively.
Towards a more coherent European strategic role
Overall, the panel converged on several key directions for Europe’s future role. These included the need to combine credible deterrence with economic tools, strengthen political unity in defence and security policy, improve decision-making capacity, and invest more in public communication and legitimacy. The discussion in Delphi made clear that Europe must move beyond being a reactive economic actor and become a proactive geopolitical force.
The event was part of the EFA365 initiative, where the European Forum Alpbach organises discussions throughout the year in Vienna, Berlin, Brussels, Munich, The Hague, Innsbruck and other cities. The goal is to deepen key security policy topics continuously, preparing for the Forum's debates in August. The European Forum Alpbach 2026 will continue the discussions under the annual theme "How Europe Wins".