70 Years of Campaigns for a United and Federal Europe

The Union of European Federalists was founded in Paris in December 1946. While Europe was still in the middle of a brutal war, groups emerged in various countries particularly in Italy, France, Germany and Belgium – calling for European political unity. They were united in the rejection of nationalism and in the belief that the only way to peace, democracy and a better future was for European states to unite in a European federation. Soon after the war they came together to form our organisation.

For seventy years the Union of European Federalists has been a relentless campaigner for European unification. We have never ceased believing and promoting the ultimate goal of the United States of Europe. At the same time we have been pragmatic advocates of all important intermediate steps that make today’s European Union and that one day will lead to our final goal. We have been the first to campaign for a Europe without national borders, the direct elections of the European Parliament, the European currency, a European Constitution. Our demands have preceded their future achievements often by decades. We have often been harsh critics of the limits of the European Communities and then the European Union, but we have always been positive and defended the European project. In many countries, we have been an essential force in rallying politicians, opinion leaders, civil society and citizens around every important milestone of Europe’s integration.

Today federalism and the project of a federal Europe are often misunderstood or misrepresented. Nevertheless, federalism is the only way to unite Europe. Only in a federal Europe can so many and diverse member states come together and achieve unity while preserving their diversities. Only in a federal Europe smaller states are protected and European citizens have a say through their directly elected representatives. Only with a federal Europe the limits of intergovernmental cooperation can be overcome. In a federal Europe member states wouldn’t lose sovereignty, they would contribute to create a greater European sovereignty, in a world of continental powers and global powerful market forces.

A united and federal Europe has never been so close, and nevertheless much remains to be done to complete this project. The European Union is facing a make-or-break moment and the next few years will be crucial for the long-term future of the European project. A prolonged financial and economic crisis has weakened several Member States and has shaken the trust of many European citizens in the Euro and the European Union. An unprecedented migration challenge is putting in danger Schengen and the free movements of people. Serious security challenges are surrounding the European Union.
European solutions are required, and very rapidly, to regain the trust and hopes of the European citizens and create the conditions to relaunch the European political project.

A sustainable single currency requires a fiscal and economic union. Internal freedom of movement across national borders requires European management of the common external European border. Common threats to our security call for European capabilities. Europe should have the power and resources to act as one on the world stage. European institutions should not be hostage of diverging interests of member states. A true European government would do better than any form of intergovernmental cooperation.

A committed and convincing federalist organisation is today more needed than ever, to spur national governments and politicians to act, to counter the negative forces of nationalism and populism, and to rally citizens and politicians around a positive vision of the European project, for a federal Europe.

Elmar Brok
President of the Union of European Federalists
Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee