Statement by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the death of Altiero Spinelli
Forty years after the death of Altiero Spinelli, President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella paid tribute to one of the founding fathers of a united and federal Europe with a powerful and deeply meaningful declaration.
Remembering Spinelli as “a free spirit” and a tireless advocate for democracy, freedom, and European unity, President Mattarella highlighted the enduring relevance of the vision born in Ventotene: a Europe capable of overcoming nationalism, war, and division through political integration and supranational democracy.
From the Ventotene Manifesto to the “Spinelli Plan”, Altiero Spinelli dedicated his entire life to the construction of a federal Europe founded on peace, solidarity, and democratic values. His political courage and intellectual legacy continue to inspire generations of Europeans committed to strengthening the European project.
The Union of European Federalists warmly welcomes and deeply appreciates this important declaration by President Mattarella honouring Altiero Spinelli, co-founder of the UEF and one of the most influential architects of European integration.
At a time when Europe faces war, geopolitical instability, and growing challenges to democracy, Spinelli’s message remains more relevant than ever: European unity is not only an aspiration — it is a necessity.
His legacy lives on in all those who continue to work for a stronger, more democratic, and truly federal Europe.
Here the original declaration in Italian: LINK
Here below the translation in English
“Altiero Spinelli, a free spirit, was a leading figure in the struggle for a democratic and united Europe.
He paid dearly for defending his ideals, enduring years of imprisonment and internal exile as an opponent of the Fascist regime and, later, expulsion from the Communist Party for his criticism of Stalinism.
Freedom and democracy were the cornerstones of Spinelli’s thought and public commitment, later reflected in his role within Italian social democracy after the war.
It was precisely during his confinement on the island of Ventotene that, together with Ernesto Rossi and Eugenio Colorni, Spinelli conceived the idea of a united and federal Europe as an innovative system of regional cooperation and an effective mechanism to prevent further wars among states.
The Manifesto for a Free and United Europe outlined several founding principles of what would later become the common European order, including the removal of barriers to trade and the establishment of an advanced supranational organisation capable of adopting directly effective decisions.
For Spinelli, that Manifesto marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to strengthening the idea of an integrated Europe. This dedication was reflected in the founding of the European Federalist Movement, his appointment by the Rumor Government as a member of the Commission of the European Communities, and his subsequent political engagement following his election to the Italian Parliament with the Independent Left and to the European Parliament as an independent candidate on the Communist Party lists.
Re-elected in 1979 during the first direct universal elections to the Strasbourg Assembly, he launched the Draft Treaty establishing the European Union.
The ‘Spinelli Plan’ revived the process of European integration, laying the foundations for the future negotiations that led to the adoption of the Single European Act — a decisive step toward an even more integrated Europe.
Forty years after his passing, Altiero Spinelli’s legacy remains a precious heritage of values and ideals for both Italy and Europe.
The Republic is grateful to him.”
Rome, 23 May 2026 (Second term)