At the time when it is discussing its further enlargement, there are not a few voices that advocate the need to precede its structural reform, so that it becomes ready to integrate the new member states, while moving towards full integration.
In the same direction, after all, the resolution of , of October 22,
The resolution refers, among other things, to the need to strengthen Parliament’s powers, improve democratic accountability and address the challenges of enlargement. But its most important element is that it is considered by many as a first step of pressure for the creation of the Federation of the European Union.
The vision for the United States of Europe
But what does this mean in practice?
The idea of creating a European Federation is not something new. On the contrary, it goes back quite a bit and specifically to the manifesto of Vedotene. There, on this small Italian island, in 1941, in the heart of the Second World War, Altiero Spinelli, imprisoned at the time, wrote a historic text: “For a Free and United Europe: A Draft Manifesto”.
In the lines of this manifesto, Spinelli outlined his vision of a truly united Europe, where the strife of nationalism would give way to a common, democratic future. Since then, the vision of the United States of Europe has gone through many stages and fluctuations.
To see where it is today and how it can be expressed in the radically changing geopolitical environment, we contacted the president of the Union of European Federalists and former MEP, Domenek Ruith Devesa, ahead of the annual meeting of the Federal Commission, which this year will take place in Athens, on November 21-23.
“The idea of the European federation has existed since the beginning of the EU”, emphasizes Mr. Devesa, “as it is mentioned in the Schuman declaration of May 9, 1950”. “Exactly this vision, that we are not only talking about an economic Union but also a political Union, is the plan in its entirety. The creation of a truly European parliamentary democracy,” he adds.
“Beyond the original vision, however, due to the global geopolitical situation, characterized by the rise of more authoritarian regimes, the federation is also a solution to today’s geostrategic issues,” continues Mr. Devesa.
The abolition of unanimity
As a first, necessary change towards the creation of the Federation of Europe, Mr Devesa demonstrates the abolition of the rule of unanimity in the European Council. “Because of unanimity we cannot take important decisions quickly, as one member state can block them. And we are talking about decisions that concern very important sectors, such as Foreign Policy, Security and the Economy” he says.
“The second axis is the strengthening of the European Parliament” adds the president of the Union of European Federalists.
“Because yes the European Parliament approves the proposed legislation, which is important, but there are other areas in which it is not a fully developed parliament. This is because it itself does not have the ability to propose legislation, only the Commission can do that, which all parliaments in the world can do. These are the two most important reforms we need for a more federalized Europe.
Federation as a response to the geopolitical challenges of our time
“In order to have greater power externally, you must be more united internally,” clarifies Mr. Devesa regarding the new geopolitical reality that the Old Continent has to face.
“Currently the member states can be classified into three categories. Those who like Trump, those who fear Trump, and those who are ready to stand up to him. So the decisions should be taken by majority vote, as unanimity is very difficult to achieve,” explains the Spanish politician.
The president of the Union of European Federalists which currently amounts to 1% of GDP. “The equivalent of the USA is at 30%, we are not saying it should go there, but it cannot be that low.”
“We see that the Commission wants to sacrifice cohesion policy and agricultural policy so that it can give resources to technological development and innovation, remaining at 1% of GDP. If this rate were to increase, these cuts would not be necessary,” he concludes.
Treaty reform and today’s possibilities
Finally, regarding the issue of treaty reform, Mr. Devesa puts the issue in two dimensions: The short-term and the long-term. “We can do some things even within the legislative framework defined by the Lisbon Treaty, to be closer to the spirit of the federation,” he says.
“For example, in terms of Defense we have capabilities that we haven’t used yet. The creation of a defense union, in order not to depend exclusively on the Americans and NATO, is something that can be carried out within the current legislative framework,” he clarifies.
“Certainly treaty reform would be ideal as there are important issues that cannot be addressed with the existing legislative framework.
In terms of timing, I understand why many see it as negative, as the current political environment in the EU, with the far right on the rise and in power in some member states, may not be ideal, but there are several safeguards in place,” he explains.
The president of the European Federalists also stands by the fact that the reform process needs several years to complete but also by the fact that no treaty reform can be approved without the approval of the European Parliament
“Realistically, treaty reform would take 4-5 years. We have to start the process immediately and if we see that something is going in the wrong direction the European Parliament could block it. I think we have to take this risk because the current status quo is not acceptable,” he emphasizes.
“Finally, in theory at least, we want to proceed with the enlargement of the EU. . We are already 27 and we see the problems, let alone if the member states exceed 30. We know it is difficult, we know there are objections but the reform of the treaties is like the dentist, you delay it but at some point the tooth hurts so much that you cannot do otherwise” he concludes.
“The European federation can respond to the challenges of the modern era”
For her part, the president of the Hellenic Union for the Federation of Europe, Dafni Gogou, says that the creation of a real European Federation will give Europe the ability to cope with the challenges of the modern era.
“The idea of creating a truly united Europe goes back to 1941 and the Ventotene manifesto, when Altiero Spinelli first outlined the idea. Our own organization was founded a few years later, in 1946, next year we will celebrate our 80th anniversary.
In the euphoria of the post-war world, we did not forget that real patriotism should not remain closed to national claims”, says Mrs. Gogou.
“Today, with the war on European soil, the demand for the political union of Europe is more urgent than ever. This is a development, after all, that few expected and for which the E.U. she was not prepared.
The current structure of the EU and the logic of soft power in geopolitics led to not having the necessary readiness to manage the war” he adds.
The crisis of democracy and the juncture of time
At the same time, the president of the Hellenic Union for the Federation of Europe and the great threat of disinformation,
“If to these important issues we add that of inequalities which are constantly widening and also the desire of the Union for further expansion, then we understand why it is necessary for the process of transformation into a Federation to proceed immediately” he emphasizes.
“In this context, after the resolution of the European Parliament that calls on Europe to prepare for its next historical phase, we are organizing next week, in Athens, on November 21-23, our annual conference, in which we expect all the political forces that support the European edifice” he concludes.
