PR | Walking the Walk, Not Just Talking the Talk: Last Chance to Strengthen European Sovereignty and Capacity to Act
Brussels, 10 September 2025 — One year after President Ursula von der Leyen called for an “ambitious reform agenda” to improve the functioning and legitimacy of the European Union, the Spinelli Group and the Union of European Federalists (UEF) express deep concern that no meaningful steps have been taken to deliver on those promises. The time for speeches is over. The time for action is now.
“Democracy is under enormous threat, also in the EU. The European Commission has failed to present any substantial initiatives to strengthen European integration, especially in the fields of security, defence and foreign policy. We call to deliver now, before it is too late. Time is overdue for a targeted reform to increase the EU’s capacity to act and by doing this to deliver for its citizens and strengthen democracy.”
— Gabriele Bischoff, MEP (S&D), Chair of the Spinelli Group
In 2024, both the Spinelli Group and the UEF welcomed President von der Leyen’s call to work with the European Parliament on a roadmap for reform—acknowledging that enlargement made institutional reform not only necessary but urgent. However, despite growing geopolitical instability, the European Commission and Council have failed to act. Instead, the Union is now perceived as weaker and fragmented, unable to protect its sovereignty or make credible choices on the international stage.
“Trump is not our ally, and contracts seem to bind only the opposing party. Instead, Europe must unite politically and develop its own Common Defence and strategic independence. Neither Putin nor Trump should set Europe’s strategic horizon. Europe must lead the free world by its own agency.”
— Domenec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and President of the UEF
The European Union has been cornered into one-sided concessions—particularly with the United States—while failing to assert its own strategic interests. As highlighted in the Draghi report, Europe is facing an existential challenge: it must renew its governance and act swiftly to remain competitive, protect its citizens, and secure peace and democracy.
The Spinelli Group and UEF urge the European Parliament to rise to the challenge and lead the Union out of institutional inertia. As the only directly elected EU institution, Parliament must be the engine of a federal transformation—starting now.