Press Release: “The Challenge of Federalisation in a World on Fire”

Press Release
Europe Day 2026

“The Challenge of Federalisation in a World on Fire”

Volt Greece and Hellenic Union of European Federalists, with the aim of fostering public dialogue on the future of European integration and in celebration of Europe Day, are organising an open public discussion entitled: “The Challenge of Federalisation in a World on Fire.”

The event will take place on Saturday, 9 May, at 18:00, at the “Water Hall” of the Thessaloniki City Hall (Vasileos Georgiou Avenue A1, 54636).

9 May stands each year as a milestone for reflecting on Europe’s trajectory. The historic Schuman Declaration laid the cornerstone for the transition from intergovernmental cooperation among European states to a federal perspective. Today, 76 years later, the European Union finds itself at a critical crossroads, confronted with successive crises that risk becoming the new normal.

The shift in U.S. foreign policy is unsettling the European continent, marking the deepest rupture in transatlantic relations since the end of the Second World War. The bloodshed in Ukraine continues into its fifth year, while the recent escalation in the Middle East is triggering yet another energy shock for Europe, along with inflationary pressures and the looming risk of a new migration crisis.

Within this context, it is evident that the EU’s hybrid sui generis model has reached its limits. Safeguarding Europe’s autonomy through a unified foreign and defence policy is no longer an ideological choice, but a matter of strategic survival to protect the interests and security of European citizens. In this light, the principle of “unity is strength” is transformed from a normative declaration into an urgent necessity.

The resilience of the European Union—now the central challenge—depends directly on its institutional capacity to act as a unified entity on the global stage. Its evolution into a Federation increasingly appears to be the only viable path toward an independent and powerful Europe. The question is stark: will Europe assert its rightful place on the global chessboard, or will it be diminished—fragmented and subordinated to the interests of its competitors?

Speakers:

• Christos Avdellas, Councillor of the 1st Municipal District of Thessaloniki (opening remarks)
• Vangelis Liaras, Co-President of Volt Greece, Professor at IE University Madrid
• Sofia Apostolidou, Representative of UEF Greece, Sociologist (M.A.), Political Scientist (M.Sc.)
• Kostas Popotas, Legal Expert, former Head of Unit at the Court of Justice of the European Union, LL.M., PhD (c), TABM, Ionian University
• Philemon Paionidis, Professor, Department of Political Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Moderator: Journalist Dimitra Makri

Admission is free

For further information, please contact Ms Evouli Dimoglou
Tel.: +30 6944383808
Email: uefthessaloniki@gmail.com | evouli.dimoglou@volteuropa.org

Organisers’ websites: voltgreece.org | uef-greece.gr