On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the Spinelli Group, represented by its President Lukas Mandl (EPP) and board members Gabriele Bischoff (S&D), Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA), Nikolaos Farantouris (Left), and Sandro Gozi (Renew Europe), held a press conference to present their ambitious initiative, Project 27.

This project underscores the Spinelli Group’s commitment, as the European Federalist Movement within the European Parliament, to reshape the European Union through treaty reform across all 27 Member States by 2027. The reform process is rooted in the establishment of a European Convention, as outlined in Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union, aiming to address citizens' demands for a more efficient and responsive Union.

As Lukas Mandl declared: “If we want to respond to the call of the citizens for the reform of the EU, if we want to contribute to a prosper and proper future of the European Union and our very continent, we have to thrive for a treaty reform.”

Gabriele Bischoff warned: "If Europe cannot act fast, bold, and as united as possible, it will face very difficult times." 

Key Objectives of Project 27

As Daniel Freund stressed “We don't want to waste too much time on missed opportunities but say we really need to take the opportunity now.” During the press conference, the board highlighted several ambitious priorities, including:

Moving Forward

This week, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Spinelli Group board members convened in Strasbourg to further refine the guidelines of this transformative project and discuss the group's next steps and initiatives.

Sandro Gozi expressed hope: "Representatives from five political groups, who may disagree on many issues, are united in pushing for European Union reform." 

Nikolas Farantouris urged "The Council and the Commission to take steps now and fast towards treaty reform, common policies, and at the end of the day, a common foreign policy.” 

Learn More

Spinelli Project 27Download
Transcript Press Conference SG January 2025Download

Brussels, November 21, 2024

European Parliament's Major Pro-European Political Groups agree to a Legislature Pact

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is pleased that three of the largest political groups of the European Parliament—the European People’s Party (EPP), the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Renew Europe (RE)— have agreed on a cooperation platform for the 10th legislative term.

The agreement, signed by Manfred Weber (Chair EPP), Iratxe García Pérez (Chair S&D), and Valérie Hayer (Chair Renew Europe), pledges for a collaborative work to deliver on an ambitious reform agenda aligned with the Political Guidelines outlined by the European Commission President on 18 July 2024.

This alliance directly answers the urgent call made by the UEF following the European Elections. The UEF has strongly advocated for all democratic and pro-European forces to unite in the European Parliament to reinforce European unity in the context of rising Eurosceptic and Europhobic far-right political parties, including by agreeing to a Legislature Pact.

Treaty Reforms as fundamental for a stronger Europe

Furthermore, The UEF takes note that the agreement stresses the importance of reforming the Union by saying that “we commit to advance necessary reforms, including Treaty changes, towards ‘an ever closer union’”.

“This is a truly historic step in the European political system: the first written coalition agreement among political groups at the EU level” said Domènec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and President of the UEF.

The next step: The European Council

As agreed in the resolution on Building consensus for Treaty change at the recent Federal Committee in Budapest (16 November), the UEF denounces that the Presidency of the European Council has so far ignored the request of the European Parliament to put the convening of a Convention for the reform of the Treaties on the agenda, and calls on the European Parliament, also on the basis of the said Cooperation Platform to continue the battle begun in the previous parliamentary term for the opening of a Convention to reform the Treaties ex art. 48, in particular by adopting a Plenary Resolution recalling the obligations of the European Council on the matter.

Brussels, November 6, 2024 

Donald Trump's clear victory in the United States of America is a tsunami for the European Union that the governments of the 27 Member States would do well to take note of as soon as possible.  

Beyond the weakening of democracy in America and worldwide that this election may bring, Europeans should quickly recognize the significance of the aggressive and irresponsible nationalism of the incoming President. They must prepare for the reality that Trump will likely seek to weaken, divide, and manipulate them. 

It is time for our 27 national governments to realize that maintaining a fictitious sovereignty is futile. This approach keeps them powerless, unable to ensure their own security, and condemns them to industrial and economic decline. Will they recognize that, as during the COVID era, the situation is critical and that a shake-up is essential to protect one another, collectively, as a community of destiny? Or will each country attempt to save itself alone? Will they continue finding excuses to resist the greater political integration that is clearly needed in this context and well explained in the Draghi and Niinistö reports of the European Commission? This Union cannot withstand global competition or protect itself effectively. Standing still now is equivalent to paralysis and condemning itself to an inevitable agony, one that will be swifter—and no less painful—with Trump. 

A strong signal must now come from the EU states. It is clear that the EU needs autonomy in defense and security; however, this is not a swift process. It can only be credible and successfully initiated if national governments clearly demonstrate their determination to strengthen their unity and work cohesively to build a shared future. In this regard, much could be achieved quickly if political will is engaged. For instance, the European Commission has the authority to address the anticipated trade war on tariffs. However, it lacks the authority to complete the Single Capital Market needed to channel private savings into essential European investments, and it cannot initiate a European public investment plan through debt issuance. These actions are urgent, as the EU can no longer delay launching a project to support technological innovation and industrial development, especially in defense. Therefore, it is crucial to complete monetary union with essential tools, authorize EU fiscal autonomy, and establish majority voting in foreign policy. This can and must be accomplished now.  

‘There will be time to analyse the causes of Trump's return to the US presidency, but what is clear is that Europe needs to wake up,’ said Domenec Ruiz Devesa, president of the UEF ‘There is no alternative for Europeans to become a federal union and thus to put in place a European defence’. 

As Draghi himself warns, governments that understand this must take the lead and act. They must take the first steps to give Europe the credibility it needs to oppose Trump's desire for dominance and to stop Putin's hegemonic ambitions. It is essential to think about a real and decisive common response to protect Ukraine, the EU's eastern countries, and all European citizens. If they can grasp the mortal danger they face, perhaps Europeans will finally find the strength to build a shared sovereignty, to become a united state community. This is a call to action for the governments of the larger states: France, Germany, Poland, Spain and Italy must find the political will to lead the process. 

October 18, 2024

The meeting of the European Council on 17 October in Brussels focused mostly on the dramatic international situation including the conflict in Ukraine - highlighted by the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - and the escalating conflict in the Middle East, in particular the dangerous situation in Lebanon and its potential consequences.

An important point of this EUCO was to initiate the debate on the topic of strengthening European competitiveness, a discussion based on the reports by Enrico Letta “Much more than a market” and Mario Draghi “The future of European competitiveness”. The European leaders called on the member states and institutions “to take work forward to meet the challenges identified in the reports” and they will continue the debate at the informal EUCO taking place in November. 

However, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) regrets to note that no mention of Treaty Reforms was included in the European Council’s Conclusions. Despite institutional reforms being necessary to address the root causes of the EU's economic challenges, as highlighted in the reports by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, they were absent from the final Conclusions.

The UEF recalls that citizens provided a clear mandate to the European institutions for urgent EU Treaty reform following the Conference on the Future of Europe, which concluded in 2022. In November 2023, in response to this mandate, the European Parliament initiated the procedure under Article 48(2) of the Treaty on European Union and adopted its proposal to amend the Treaties.

After sending letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and the heads of EU Member States, alongside our sections and partners from the Spinelli Group, European Movement International (EMI), and the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe), the UEF expresses deep concern over the European Council’s lack of action. “The battle with the European Council still remains. We have already sent two letters to Charles Michel (President of the European Council) who replied ‘yes, don't forget, we started the discussion as part of the European Council's strategic agenda’. This is fine, but we have to put it on the agenda for a decision.” said Domenec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and UEF President, “As UEF we should now look to the new President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, to relaunch this issue in a few months' time.”

This inaction is particularly troubling given the urgent context of upcoming EU enlargement(s), and the importance of the fourth Copenhagen Criterion, which addresses the EU's preparedness for new member states' accession and the potential need for internal reforms: “Enlargement cannot be unconditional. It must go hand in hand with the deepening of political union” concludes Domenec Ruiz Devesa.

The UEF reiterates its call for a real consideration of Treaty Reforms by the European Council and expresses the importance of aligning the Council’s Conclusions with the aspirations of citizens. 

RELATED LINKS

Brussels, October 10, 2024 

The President of UEF Austria, Lukas Mandl, MEP EPP, will take over the rotating Presidency of the parliamentary intergroup. He was appointed yesterday by the Spinelli Group Board meeting in Strasbourg during the work of the first plenary in October.

As Lukas Mandl inherited the rotating presidency of the Spinelli Group from Sandro Gozi, MEP Renew, and former President of the UEF, the UEF stands beside his leadership and ensures him the support of all federalists.

The Spinelli Group and the UEF warmly thank Sandro Gozi for his chairmanship.
“It has been an honour to serve as Chair of the Spinelli Group for the past two years. Through our federalist network, we have undertaken a historic political fight for the reform and democratisation of the European Union, an effort that must persist in this new term. I extend my best wishes to the new Chair, Lukas Mandl, who will undoubtedly advance our mission to reform the Union and unify the continent.

In this European mandate, federalists play a crucial role in ensuring that EU institutions are responsive to the demands from the Conference on the Future of Europe. By driving treaty reform, we aim to create a more sovereign and democratic Europe.” Sandro Gozi.

The revision of the European Treaty has been a long-standing demand of the UEF. Lukas Mandl stressed the importance of making the Treaty reforms the focus of his work together with the Spinelli Group.

Lukas Mandl said: "Since I am heading the European Federalists as a President in Austria in my country, I feel obliged to contribute here. […] It means a lot to me that I can do it but I want to do it jointly with the other board members otherwise it will not work."

At the Spinelli Group Board meeting the participants were Petras Auštrevičius, Brando Benifei, Gabriel Bischoff, Vivien Costanzo, Nikolas Farantouris, Daniel Freund, Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle, Sandro Gozi, Benedetta Scuderi, Reinier Van Lanschot, and Ilaria Caria, UEF Secretary General.

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Brussels, 7th October 2024

In the face of the tragedy of war, if the European Union wants to bring peace to the Middle East, it is time for it to open a Convention to reform the Treaties in order to have a common foreign and defense policy.

One year has passed since the day Hamas unleashed the most brutal aggression against defenseless Israeli citizens since the Yom Kippur War. On the part of the State of Israel, also on the basis of its legitimate right to self-defense, we are instead witnessing the fall into the demonic trap created by Hamas.

This never-ending tragedy of two peoples in one land is intertwined with the history of the peoples of the region and the processes of world politics, and becomes the subject and active part of a much wider, even global, power conflict. In these days when the whole world is holding its breath for fear of an escalation, with unpredictable outcomes, between Israel and Iran, and while the offensives in Gaza and now also in Lebanon continue, it is difficult to unravel the tangle. 

In this context, the United Nations is powerless. We live in a system where it is still the strength of the great powers that makes it possible to arrive at (sometimes having to impose) a diplomatic solution to conflicts, and creates the conditions for stability in the various areas of the world and for strengthening international organizations and cooperation. This system is in crisis and generates the escalation of the struggle for global hegemony and - as a cascade - in the different regions. 

The UEF cannot stress enough how weak the EU's voice is at this juncture, and how cacophonous the reaction of European states has been until now.

As HRVP Josep Borrell said in Ventotene on 1 September 2024, ‘If we are not united, we are irrelevant. In order to be relevant, we have to be united. And on this problem, we are not. Certainly, we have made progress on building a common and foreign policy. Certainly. But in order to do more, we have to be more united, and we have to have different ways of taking decisions. I don't see how Europe can work with unanimity rule'. He continues: ‘I know it's difficult. But the next generation of the Europeans will have to be more integrated, and more integrated means to be ready to accept decisions by qualified majority voting, not by unanimity, and is not a technicality, is at the core of what the European Union is, how it works and what it delivers.'

This is the reason why, if Europe really wants to contribute to the return of the possibility of peace, it must quickly equip itself with the decision-making and political mechanisms that will enable it to move on the international stage quickly and with a comprehensive common policy agenda, being represented by a true European government endowed with authority and autonomy in external action, generating a unique framework of European intervention that can influence global power relations.

The UEF considers the construction of a strong common foreign and security policy, together with a solid pillar of civil protection capacity, crucial for the future of European unity and global stability. That is why we support the launch of a Convention opening the revision of the Treaties to strengthen the EU and its institutions. 

RELATED LINKS

GREEK VERSION

Brussels, 27th September 2024

Yesterday, the new board of the Spinelli Group sent a letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to point out that the mission letters to the Commissioners-designate have made no reference to institutional reforms or the preparation to begin the Treaty reform process.

“Unfortunately, we regret to notice, that in your mission letters to the Commissioner-designates, no mention is made to institutional reforms or to the preparation of the Treaty change process, nor to the reform of the European electoral law, including the establishment of transnational lists.” 

As a transpartisan and pro-EU Integration network, the Spinelli Group expresses our deepest concern regarding these missing elements. In the words of the President of the Spinelli Group, Sandro Gozi:

"As President of the Spinelli Group, I promoted this letter. We want to say it very clearly to Ursula Von der Leyen: respect your commitment to treaty revisions. Reform the Union to unify Europe!"

Two years have passed since the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe, where citizens gave a clear mandate for EU Treaty reform. Additionally, it has been nearly a year since the European Parliament voted last November to call a Convention as a condition sine qua non to reform the Treaties.

Yet despite all this time and her candidacy relying on the votes of pro-European forces, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has not taken any actions to implement or begin discussions on institutional reforms, treaty changes, or reforms to European electoral law. The board of the Spinelli Group once again calls for the European Commission to be proactive in advocating for treaty reform, given its crucial role in playing the preliminary phases of the Treaty reform process (as seen in Article 48 of TEU).

This inaction comes at a difficult time for the European Union, given the flashing red lights coming from the EU economy and the growing electoral popularity of Eurosceptics who would tear down this union. As the Draghi report has shown, reform of the EU’s governance is needed to face the challenges of the moment, to improve its competitiveness, and to prepare for future enlargement. Inaction during this time of vulnerability within the EU is unacceptable given the breakdown of the rules-based international order and the return of war on the continent, the European Commission must step up and do more. For these reasons, the Spinelli Group fully intends to hold the Commissioner-designate accountable during their evaluation hearings to ensure that treaty reform is not forgotten. 

The signatories of the letter are the new member of the Board of the Spinelli Group, the MEPs Sandro Gozi (Renew Europe, France),  Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew Europe, Netherlands), Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany),  Brando Benifei (S&D, Italy),  Vivien Costanzo (S&D, Germany), Reinier Van Lanschot (Greens/EFA, Netherlands), Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, Germany), Petras Austrevicius (Renew Europe, Lithuania), Daniel Freund, (Greens/EFA, Germany), Klara Dobrev (S&D, Hungary),  Nikolaos Farantouris (The Left, Greece) and Domènec Ruiz Devesa (ex officio member, former MEP, President of the Union of European Federalists).

20240926_Letter to President von der Leyen_Spinelli GroupDownload

Brussels, September 12, 2024

The lengthy report prepared by Mario Draghi on behalf of the European Commission was presented last Monday in a press conference in Brussels. The Report rings the alarm on the urgent need for the European Union to change its system and modus operandi in order to counter the constant slowdown in its growth and the decline in its productivity; a decline that is leading to a progressive impoverishment of the population and puts the European welfare state model and social cohesion at risk. Additionally, this trend comes with an implicit political risk that would see the European Union unable to guarantee its own security and leave it dependent on external powers in strategic technological sectors.

The Report stresses, through an in-depth analysis, the issue plaguing European development and proposes concrete and detailed measures to reverse the current trend and release the EU's enormous untapped potential. With the Report pointing out the strategic sectors to be developed in order to cope with the major transformations taking place currently in world trade, technological innovation, energy, and security.

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Underlying the EU's weakness in these crucial areas are its fragmentation and its model of economic governance, which among other things, provides neither industrial policy nor funding instruments to make the huge investments that are needed at this stage, and is instead designed for an international framework that no longer corresponds to reality. These characteristics are severely holding back the EU and this affects, among others things, the cost of energy (electricity prices are 2-3 times higher than in the USA, with natural gas being an astonishing 4-5 times more expensive ), the scarce funding for research and development (256 million made available by the EU compared to 6 billion in the USA), alongside the specific lack of funding for research and development in the military field, which is essential for building an autonomous defence (10.7 billion euros invested in Europe in 2022 compared to 130 in the USA (2023 figures)). This is to say nothing about the root causes of the serious difficulties in the European labour market, the absence of a capital market at the European level, and the lack of investment that is estimated as at least 750-800 billion a year (or 4.4 - 4.7 % of GDP) compared to the current European budget of only around 1 % of GDP.

Given the significance and scale of this huge investment shortfall, the Report makes a number of proposals on how to find the necessary resources; with one of the most significant being to strengthen the EU budget and create a ‘common debt instruments’ modelled on the NGEU to finance long-term investment projects in R&I and defence procurement.

‘Draghi warns that Europe needs an amount of investment that is impossible to sustain without the creation of common debt instruments,' says Domenec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and President of the Union of European Federalists. ‘At the moment there is only the NGEU, but it is only provisional and as the Report says it should be extended and multiplied in various areas for long-term investments.  If the member states are in favour of new common debt instruments there is an opportunity to create the fiscal capacity for the EU’s continued development under the democratic control of the European Parliament. This would be a step forward that would make treaty reform and the creation of the basis for true European sovereignty inevitable'. 

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Transformations in governance is an integral part of the Report; it is very clear that they are its conditio sine qua non, due to the choices to be made, the decisive actions that need to be implemented, alongside the problem of finding the financial resources. However, it is here that the weakness of the European Commission's position on this issue emerges. 

With Draghi seemingly having limited himself to reiterating previously prepared reforms by the European Council, despite his repeated statements given in his personal capacity going further, in which he repeatedly emphasised the need for a political union of a federal nature at the European level. Treaty reform is not taken into consideration, and the Report speaks about the possibility of advancing without reforming the treaties through the passerelle clauses or through enhanced cooperation – which, unfortunately, are two totally ineffective and difficult to use instruments. Perhaps in light of these issues, Draghi proposes a third, alternative option which is the possibility of moving forward in a group of willing States outside the Treaties, similar to what happened with the Fiscal Compact.

The Report thus takes into account the impossibility of advancing all 27 countries together simultaneously, and instead argues for a concentric circle structure. However, the unwillingness to address the issue of a reform of the Treaties (due to significant resistance on the part of the member states and the European Commission itself) implies that the European Commission and member states are unwilling to tackle these issues so as to ensure that a shared European sovereignty does not emerge.

As federalists, we want to stress that the European Council has the solutions to address these systemic issues, having received last December a request from the European Parliament to open a Convention to democratically discuss how to build this new Europe. The European Council has the possibility and the power to decide by simple majority (14 out of 27 states) to accept this request and create the conditions to start that process of change in the EU, which the Draghi Report shows as absolutely necessary and urgent.

We therefore call on the European Parliament to rise to the challenge, demand that the European Commission side with the Parliament and the citizens to overcome the attachment of national governments to their small and inefficient power that is leading Europe to self-destruct. 

As Draghi reminds us, the moment is dramatic and if Europe does not change, it is over. 

We need courageous actions equal to the danger we are running.

RELATED

Draghi Report Part ADownload
Draghi report Part BDownload

Press Contact

Ilaria Caria, Sec.-Gen.

Email: secretariat@federalists.eu

Phone: +32 491524097

Ventotene, 3 September 2024

On the 1st and 2nd of September 2024, in the municipality of Ventotene, representatives of the Union of European Federalists, Association Jean Monnet, the Young European Federalists, the Spinelli Group, as well as significant political figures signed the Partnership Agreement for the re-launch the Action Committee for the United States of Europe.

The first action committee, founded in 1955 by Jean Monnet, was an organization dedicated to promoting European integration and the concept of a united Europe. Established in response to the failure of the European Defence Community, the committee, often called the "Monnet Committee," aimed to gain the support of major European political forces, both in government and in opposition, and of the social partners, to support the community ideal.

The partnership was signed by Domènec Ruiz Devesa (former MEP, UEF Europe President), Sandro Gozi (MEP, Chair of the Spinelli Group), Thijs Reuten (MEP, Spinelli Group), Christelle Savall (JEF Europe President), and Philippe Laurette (Association Jean Monnet President).

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The partnership was endorsed by Josep Borrell (High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission), Klaus Welle (Former Secretary-General of the European Parliament, Martens Centre’s Academic Council Chair), Stefano Castagnoli (Altiero Spinelli Institute President), Guy Verhofstadt (former MEP, European Movement International President), Luisa Trumellini (Secretary General of Movimento Federalista Europeo), Giulia Rossolillo (UEF Europe Vice-President), and Roberto Sommella (Associazione Nuova Europa).  

Also present was Martì Grau Segu, Head of Service and Curator House Jean Monnet, where the new Action Committee plans to undertake a number of activities.

"It's better to be prepared for the next crisis, be pro-active instead of just waiting for the next event." said Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

"We need a powerful network of high profile personalities to support the process of federal reform of the Treaty." stated President of the Union of European Federalists, Domènec Ruiz Devesa.

"This is an action committee, which will focus on actions so that we can hasten the construction of the enlarged federal Europe." said Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists.

"We have to be critical of what the Union lacks, in order to improve it. Enough hiding behind the idea that criticizing the EU leaders only helps its enemies." stated President of the European Movement International, Guy Verhofstadt.

The first meeting of the new Action Committee, after its launch back in May, took place on the 2nd of September 2024, with the presence of the representatives of the Jean Monnet House, European Movement Italy, Movimento Federalista Europeo and Istituto di Studi Federaliasti Altiero Spinelli, additional to the signing organizations.

RELATED LINKS

Visit of Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, to Italy

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Visit of Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, to Italy: intervention at the inaurgural Confence of the 40th Ventotene International Seminar

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Read here the Speech of the HRVP Josepp Borrell, HERE

Read the Press Release about the launch of the Action Committee HERE

PRESS CONTACT
Ilaria Caria
Secretary-General
secretariat@federalists.eu

UEF and the Spinelli Group highlight this passage from Ursula von der Leyen's speech and call all pro-European forces in the new majority to action. 

"Our Union and our democracy are constant work in progress. And there is more that we can do. We need an ambitious reform agenda to ensure the functioning of a larger Union and to increase democratic legitimacy. While reforms were necessary before, with enlargement they become indispensable. We must use this as a catalyst for change in terms of our capacity to act, our policies and our budget. We will of course focus on what we can already do, of which there is a lot. But we should be more ambitious. I believe we need Treaty change where it can improve our Union. And I want to work on that with this House. And this will be part of a closer partnership between the Commission and the Parliament."

Ursula von der Leyen, Strasbourg, 18 July 2024 

On 18 July, Ursula von der Leyen was elected by the European Parliament to the presidency of the European Commission with a large majority, clearly defined by the common positions on support for Ukraine, respect for the rule of law, and strengthening the European Union. The weeks following the European vote at the beginning of June thus served to test the existence of a common will among pro-European political forces to keep a firm grip on an EU that is increasingly called upon to respond to external threats and protect its citizens. Despite the increased presence at the European level of right-wing, anti-European, and anti-system forces, the votes by which Ursula von der Leyen was elected show that in this legislature there are still margins to achieve decisive advances in the unification process, in continuity with the Conference on the Future of Europe (not by chance also referred to in von der Leyen's speech).  

For this reason, it is particularly significant that, within the broad political programme presented by the President, there was a clear reference to the need for an 'ambitious reform agenda' with the aim of 'improving our Union', to be drafted together with the European Parliament. Even though this passage has generally been ignored in political and journalistic commentaries, the Spinelli Group and UEF instead emphasise it strongly, both because they supported it in the election campaign and in the past weeks of negotiations with von der Leyen, and because they consider it a crucial point on which the pro-European forces must commit themselves. 

"As UEF, we welcome the fact that our indications, made public immediately after the close of voting on 10 June, were followed. We had called the pro-European political forces to create a coalition homogeneous in European and international policy positions, choosing the candidate for the presidency of the Commission on the basis of the Spitzenkandidaten system and stressing, as a necessary condition, the support to the reform of the Treaties, as voted by the outgoing European Parliament," points out Domènec Ruiz Devesa, former S&D  MEP and President of UEF. “When von der Leyen's candidacy loomed up, we also wrote to her directly to that effect. Now it is important to take advantage of this openness of the President to work, Commission and Parliament together, to present to the European Council ambitious proposals for Treaty change, starting from the report prepared by the outgoing EP and putting the call for the launch of the Convention at the centre”. 

"As President of the Spinelli Group and in my capacity as secretary of the European Democratic Party, I personally insisted bilaterally with Ursula von der Leyen during our conversation on the need for her to mention support for the reform of the Treaties in her keynote speech," explains Sandro Gozi, Renew MEP and President of the Spinelli Group. "After all, she herself made it clear: the EU needs reforms to cope with enlargement, to strengthen its defence capability, to increase its competitiveness. All this is reflected in the policies to be made, and - as a pre-condition - in the decision-making mechanisms and financing of the European budget. This is exactly the work done in AFCO and approved in plenary at the end of the last parliamentary term, which must be taken up and relaunched'. 
 

On the day that Ursula von der Leyen appeared before the European Parliament and was voted in, the Spinelli Group and UEF also organised a series of initiatives, starting with a rally in front of the entrance to the EP before the start of the morning proceedings, along with a series of political meetings, and interviews that were broadcasted on social media:

PRESS CONTACT
Ilaria Caria
Secretary-General
secretariat@federalists.eu

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