RESOLUTION OF THE UEF FEDERAL COMMITTEE ON THE INITIATIVE FOR A EUROPEAN RENEWAL

The Federal Committee of the Union of European Federalists, gathering in Barcelona on April 26-27,

Recalling:

• That the European integration process is at a crucial stage, in which, beyond traditional political cleavages, nationalist and populist forces question the EU’s foundations and principles, in particular the rule of law.
• That the complacency and resignation of some pro-European political leaders and citizens, who are content with the European status quo, is yet another obstacle to overcome in the establishment of a sovereign and democratic Europe.
• That when political leaders and decision-makers fail to provide concrete solutions to the issues of our times, citizens lose trust in democratic institutions as a whole.
• That it is necessary to get out of the current stalemate that threatens to exacerbate citizens’ distrust in the European Union’s ability to face the challenges of our time and to guarantee their prosperity and internal and external security.
• That UEF and JEF are engaged in the campaign for the European elections under the slogan “I Choose Europe,” aimed at campaigning for a genuinely democratic, social, sovereign, federal Europe.
• The important role of UEF as a non-partisan organisation that unites a variety of members with different political backgrounds in order to build bridges between political families.

Welcomes:

• French President Macron’s letter for a “European renaissance” aimed at “politically and culturally reinventing the shape of our civilization in a changing world,” following similar speeches at Sorbonne University and the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
• The fact that President Macron’s letter addresses European citizens directly in their native languages, contributing to the creation of a European public space and launching a debate on the need for a European renewal built around freedom, protection, and progress.
• That this debate should, according to President Macron, propose “all the changes our political project needs, with an open mind, even to amending the Treaties.”
• That other leaders in Europe, such as Spanish President Sanchez, have expressed their support for a European renewal. Sanchez, in his speech on the Future of Europe at the European Parliament, called for protecting Europe by moving forward with a social Europe, a Europe of defense, and the Economic and Monetary Union—a federal Europe in essence that regains the confidence of its citizens.

Recognises:

• That a fresh start is needed for the Union, lest its foundations be eroded from within.
• That the still unsatisfactory debate underway in the Council on the reform of the Economic and Monetary Union, especially regarding the creation of a Eurozone budget, can be placed within the broader framework of creating a genuine political union inside the EU.
• That the initiatives of national political leaders can become substantial drivers of the evolution of the European Union into a genuine European Federation, provided that:
  • Other European leaders join in this endeavour, committing to a social, democratic, sovereign, and federal Europe.
  • Only a sovereign Europe, that is a federal Europe, can become a Europe that protects through effective migration and asylum policies, a defense and security policy, and a fiscal and budgetary policy.
  • The EU reform process must be launched urgently, by the end of the year.
  • Any meaningful attempt at EU reform must be grounded in the development of a true European democracy, centered around a bicameral European Parliament representing citizens and Member States, and an elected executive.
  • The ultimate target of EU reform is the adoption of a genuine European Constitution.

Therefore, recalling its transpartisan nature, the UEF:

Commits:

• To exploit these initiatives to further advocate for a social, democratic, sovereign, and federal Europe.
• Calls on EU citizens, in the context of the European elections, to vote for political parties firmly committed to advocating for a stronger, democratic, and social Europe, and to consider as the most urgent political priority during the electoral campaign and in the next European Parliament the goal of finalizing this debate through the opening of a constituent process.

Further commits its national sections to campaign for establishing the broadest possible alliance among political forces, civil society organisations, and citizens to work towards a truly Federal Europe.

Barcelona, April 27, 2019