Buzz
The most enduring conspiracy theories often center around a secretive group of elites controlling the world's events to serve their own agenda. Given the immense power of the European Union, it's no surprise that such theories emerge. From its influence on military power and economic policies to its impact on culture and language, the EU shapes nearly every facet of life across Europe. And, depending on who you ask, some believe they know precisely what they are doing.
10. The Kalergi Plan
The Coudenhove-Kalergi Plan, named after Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, an Austrian-Japanese politician with Czechoslovakian and French roots, is the focus of this theory. His unique background, which was influenced by the tumult of two world wars, undeniably shaped his political beliefs, making him a key figure in conspiracy circles.
Kalergi’s 'plan' reflects his views expressed in multiple books, where he envisioned a world of continental federations—Europe as one, the Americas as another, and so forth. He also believed that as 'space, time, and prejudice' dissolved, humanity would eventually unify into a single race.
As expected, this idea has been taken as evidence that European elites are attempting to erase European cultures and ethnic identities. While many conspiracy theorists have no qualms about directly referencing the Kalergi Plan, it is often rebranded as Le Grand Replacement, a theory suggesting that EU officials are using the ongoing migrant crisis to create an Arab-dominated Europe—Eurabia.
9. New World Order
One reason some conspiracy theories persist longer than others is their adaptability. For instance, it's easier to persuade people that a new substance added to their water is harmful, but after consuming fluoride for a lifetime, it no longer causes fear. However, theories suggesting secret agendas to gain control will always be relevant, making it simple to apply New World Order theories to anyone.
Though he wasn’t the first to make such claims, prominent Brexiteer Nigel Farage drew attention when he applied the New World Order theory to the EU during an interview, asking, 'What percentage of the UK actually believe in the United States of Europe, actually believe in this New World Order?' Along with the Kalergi Plan, the New World Order theory has long been linked to anti-Semitism, which only fueled controversy when Farage called Jewish billionaire George Soros 'the biggest threat to the entire Western World' and accused banks like Goldman Sachs of wanting to 'bring down our democratic systems' while viewing the EU as 'the precursor to global government.' The challenge with theories like these is that, unlike the verifiable effects of fluoride, it's impossible to prove that no secret collusion is occurring, allowing the theory to persist endlessly.
8. No Scots Allowed
Many people are familiar with the simultaneous independence movements in Scotland and Catalonia, with one major difference: Scotland lost a legally binding referendum, while Catalonia held an illegitimate one and won. Since then, Catalonian leaders have been arrested, while Scottish leaders have pushed for a second referendum, claiming their exit from the EU, despite 62% of Scots voting to remain.
While no precedent exists for a part of an EU country declaring independence from its state, the common belief is that any newly independent nation would need to reapply for EU membership. This is where the conspiracy arises. Since all EU member states must agree unanimously for any new additions, one country could block another’s entry. For instance, if Scotland declared independence, Spain would likely prevent Scotland from rejoining the EU to discourage Catalonia from pursuing its own independence. The threat of such a veto also serves as a deterrent to Scotland itself from declaring independence in the first place.
Naturally, most Spanish politicians are against Catalonian independence; it's hard to imagine anyone in power wishing for a part of their country to break away. However, Spain's official stance has always been not to veto Scottish independence or its EU membership. Realistically, having a non-EU Catalonia right on Spain's doorstep would be disastrous for both Spain and the EU. Plus, most people on both sides would expect free movement. The EU would likely prefer working with Scotland rather than against it, perhaps even using Scotland to show the rest of the UK what it’s missing out on by leaving the EU. While the threat of a Spanish veto is compelling, it will never amount to much more than a political talking point.
If you think this is just hopeful thinking, consider that Spain was willing to veto any Brexit deal that excluded them from Gibraltar. Despite the fact that a hard border would have little effect on Spain’s economy but could devastate Gibraltar, they still fought for access. If Spain was prepared to fight for 300,000 British citizens in Gibraltar, they’ll certainly stand up for 7.5 million Catalonians and 5.4 million Scots.
7. EU Army
Ahead of the Brexit referendum in 2016, there was considerable debate over the possibility of creating an EU army, which could involve conscripting EU citizens between the ages of 16 and 25. Concerns also emerged that national militaries might be used for EU purposes, potentially without the approval of the respective member state's government. However, this theory falls apart upon closer examination.
As with most major decisions in the EU, defense policy requires unanimous approval from all member states. This means any single state can block the formation of an EU army. Even if national leaders wanted to relinquish control over their military forces, the unanimity requirement makes it so easy to halt such a proposal that it is highly unlikely to even be discussed. Instead, we see policies aimed at enhancing collaboration and improving the efficiency of EU defense, such as PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation). This opt-in initiative has been adopted by 25 out of 28 member states and includes projects like developing shared military hubs and creating a unified cybersecurity network.
An EU member state's army is only required to be deployed if another EU member state is attacked. In such a case, the rest of the EU must come to the defense of the nation under attack.
6. Aachen Conspiracy
On January 22, 1963, French President Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Elysee Treaty, aimed at fostering cooperation between their two nations rather than fueling rivalry. The treaty itself is quite brief, essentially stating that the leaders of both countries should meet regularly, align on foreign policy matters, and promote each other's cultures.
On January 22, 2019, 55 years after the original signing, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Aachen, Germany, to sign a renewed version of the Elysee Treaty. In the lead-up to the event, Eurosceptics like former presidential candidate Marine Le Pen used the summit to promote what became known as the Aachen Conspiracy.
One of the central claims was that France would share its permanent UN Security Council seat with Germany, as France holds a permanent seat while Germany does not. Of course, that’s not how the UN operates, and France cannot simply 'share' its seat (plus, Germany currently holds a temporary seat). The conspiracy taps into historical French fears of 'German-occupied France,' recalling the days of Nazi occupation. Theorists also suggested that President Macron was about to give up control of Alsace-Lorraine, a territory of nearly 2 million people between France and Germany. The region, which has changed hands multiple times—ceded from France to Germany in 1871, returned to France in 1919, back to Germany in 1940, and finally back to France in 1945—remains predominantly German-speaking. However, after the Aachen summit, it seems that Germany will have to wait a while longer before getting another turn.
5. Trump’s Theory
It wouldn’t be a proper list of conspiracy theories without a nod to the current President of the United States, Donald Trump. From Birtherism to 9/11, Trump has long been associated with various conspiracy theories. While he often reiterates existing theories, sometimes he introduces his own, such as the idea that the EU was created to exploit the United States.
Trump first introduced this theory on the Fox Business show 'Mornings with Maria,' where he claimed that Europe was treating the US worse than China and that 'European nations were set up in order to take advantage of the United States.' Of course, most European countries predate the US, but Trump later clarified his statement at a rally, emphasizing that it was the European Union—not the individual nations—that was created to take advantage of the US. He said, 'We love the countries of the European Union. But the European Union, of course, was set up to take advantage of the United States.' While it’s true that the US has a trade deficit with the EU, the original goal of forming a European community was to prevent European nations from fighting each other, a goal that has been quite successful. Though a trade surplus with the US may be a benefit, it wasn’t the primary motivation behind the creation of the coal and steel market over 70 years ago.
4. Rothschild Family
Given that the Rothschild family is believed to own numerous banks and media outlets around the globe, it's no surprise that they frequently surface in conspiracy theories related to finance or the news industry. Theories about their wealth date back to the Napoleonic wars, with the central idea being that the Rothschilds use their financial and media influence to guide world events. According to conventional conspiracy narratives, the Rothschilds aren't directly picking winners and losers, but they hold the power to lend substantial financial support to causes they approve of, while directing the media to undermine those they oppose.
However, some lesser-known theories suggest the Rothschild family is doing far more than just subtly influencing outcomes—they are allegedly deciding who will hold key political positions and lead global institutions. One such theory centers around French President Emmanuel Macron, primarily based on his previous employment at the Rothschild & Co. investment bank. A similar theory was advanced by an Egyptian news anchor, who claimed that a photo featuring a young Angela Merkel with future Prime Minister Theresa May and future CIA Director Gina Haspel served as proof that the Rothschilds had been orchestrating these women’s political careers from an early age. Given that many high-ranking European politicians have some connection to the Rothschild family, this theory is one that is likely to persist for years to come.
3. Finland?
While most conspiracy theories are viewed as harmless fun, such as the idea that the Earth is flat or that the Queen is secretly a shapeshifting reptilian, there are some theories so unsettlingly plausible that they make you second-guess everything you thought you knew. One such theory is that Finland doesn’t actually exist.
This theory suggests that the notion of 'Finland' was a fabrication born out of a covert Cold War alliance between Japan and the Soviet Union. The two nations allegedly agreed to create the illusion of a country along the Baltic Sea to secure fishing rights for the region. By combining parts of Sweden, Estonia, and Russia, the Soviets were said to have convinced people they were living in Finland. To further conceal the operation, they built the Trans-Siberian railway, which was used to transport fish to Japan. In return for their cooperation and a share of the catch, the Japanese were free to fish in this non-existent 'Finland' as much as they wished. While this might sound far-fetched, it does prompt a deeper question: how certain are we that Finland really exists?
2. Esperanto
Esperanto, as you might know, is the most widely spoken auxiliary language across the globe. Created by Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof in 1887, it incorporates elements from multiple languages and was specifically designed to be easy to learn. Zamenhof’s vision was to create a language that could unite the world, not as a native tongue, but as a universal second language that everyone could speak.
While many embraced the idea and quickly learned the language, publishing materials in Esperanto, others were suspicious of Zamenhof’s true intentions. As a Jewish man, Zamenhof was accused by some of having a Zionist agenda, aiming for world domination through this universal language. This theory even caught the attention of Adolf Hitler, who mentioned it in his manifesto, Mein Kampf. It’s unclear how much influence this conspiracy had on Esperanto’s adoption or if the language's inherent limitations as a non-native tongue played a larger role in its relative obscurity. Whatever the case, the grand plan, if there ever was one, failed to materialize.
1. Eurozone Crisis
The Eurozone Crisis illustrates the core challenge faced by the EU: reconciling integration with national independence. Originally intended to streamline commerce and promote cross-border movement, the crisis stemmed from the absence of fiscal alignment among member states. However, despite the crisis' mundane and intricate causes, several conspiracy theories have emerged, each offering a different explanation for what truly led to the collapse.
Two major theories involve wealthy British elites colluding with the US media to influence investment decisions. These theories have been suggested by notable figures such as the former Prime Minister of Greece, along with several senior officials in Spain. One version argues that the British used the Eurozone crisis to benefit personally and to conceal their own national deficit. Another theory posits that the goal was to destabilize the Euro in order to undermine future EU initiatives.
While these theories seem to reflect a pro-EU stance, there are also those, both within Britain and elsewhere, who hold the EU accountable for the crisis. These critics contend that the Eurozone turmoil was deliberately orchestrated to subjugate nations like Greece under the EU's control. Some even believe the crisis was part of a broader agenda to dissolve national identities within the EU and potentially pave the way for the spread of socialism across Europe (although, to some, this has already been achieved).
