Hormuz and the test for the European Union

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, amidst military escalation in the Persian Gulf, is not merely a logistical disruption but a weapon of war. It serves as a profound test of the European Union's governance and response capabilities. With oil prices surging, supply chains under pressure, and critical sectors facing shortages, the EU must leverage its robust instruments—such as the European Central Bank's mandate, the European Stability Mechanism, and strategic energy reserves—to avoid the fragmentation of the Common Market. Drawing lessons from the pandemic response rather than the euro crisis, the EU's AccelerateEU package aims to coordinate member state actions to protect economic sustainability and social welfare, proving that the Union's true value is measured by its ability to act decisively during crises.