By: Sara bertolli e Simone Cantarini | EURACTIV Italia
TRANSLATION
The president of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), Domènec Miguel Ruiz Devesa, makes a clear statement on the issue of EU enlargement, stressing the importance of a process conditioned by structural reforms. In an interview with Euractiv on the sidelines of the 43rd edition of the Ventotene Training Seminar, organised by the Altiero Spinelli Institute for Federalist Studies, the former Spanish MEP from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) stressed that ‘enlargement cannot be unconditional. It must go hand in hand with the deepening of political union'. This view emphasises the need to reform the European Treaties and to overcome current limitations, such as the unanimity rule, to ensure a more effective and cohesive Union in view of future challenges.
What is the position of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) on the prospect of EU enlargement?
We are absolutely in favour of enlargement. Europe offers opportunities to peoples and to everyone, therefore, no country can be excluded. That said, enlargement cannot be unconditional. It must be an enlargement that goes hand in hand with the deepening of political union, because otherwise it is not possible (to move forward), for example with the unanimity rule in the Council. Very clearly, we cannot have a European Parliament with static powers, with such an enlargement, a Parliament that still cannot approve taxes to finance the EU budget or that cannot decide on debt issues, now that we have created the European debt. So enlargement yes, but also deepening, that means a federal reform of the treaties.
In the wake of the proposed reform of the Treaties already launched by Parliament, is there a prospect for the new legislature to relaunch the work that has been done by the Constitutional Affairs Committee?
The work has been done, therefore, Parliament does not have to make another report. Instead, a Parliament resolution calling on the European Council to respond to the proposal made by the Eurochamber almost a year ago, in November last year, would be useful. This (step) must be taken because the European Council cannot refuse to take into account the proposal of the EU Parliament.
Is there indeed this window of opportunity to recall the Council with the majorities that will be created also in the perspective of a Franco-German leadership crisis? Is there a solid enough majority in Parliament with which to lobby on this front?
I would say yes, because it is true that we have a Parliament that is more to the right than the previous one - with a strengthening of the extreme right - although fortunately not enough to become a majority, not even to become a blocking minority. At the same time, the European People's Party (EPP), which is a pro-European force, has also strengthened. The same majority that gave rise to the re-election of President von der Leyen, made up of Populars, Socialists, Liberals and Greens, is the same majority that must be able to recall the European Council. Moreover, it is a position of the European Parliament that does not expire with the new Eurochamber.
What are the prospects for action of the UEF in this new legislature?
We have made many initiatives - I think useful - to call the European Commission to support us, because until now the European Commission had been somewhat ambiguous on the issue of treaty reform and now it has become a political priority.
The EU Commission had so far not been clear about the idea of treaty reform. Since some political groups, such as the Liberals, have made it a condition of support for the new Commission that it support the reform proposed by the Parliament - or at least show willingness - this issue has therefore been included as part of the new Commission's ‘policy priorities’.
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.
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.
Il presidente dell’Unione dei federalisti europei (UEF), Domènec Miguel Ruiz Devesa, si esprime con chiarezza sulla questione dell’allargamento dell’Unione europea, sottolineando l’importanza di un processo condizionato da riforme strutturali. In un’intervista rilasciata ad Euractiv a margine della 43esima edizione del Seminario di formazione di Ventotene, organizzato dall‘Istituto di Studi Federalisti Altiero Spinelli, l’ex europarlamentare spagnolo dell’Alleanza progressista dei socialisti e democratici (S&D), ha sottolineato che “l’allargamento non può essere incondizionato. Deve andare di pari passo con l’approfondimento dell’unione politica”. Questa visione mette in evidenza la necessità di riformare i Trattati europei e di superare le attuali limitazioni, come la regola dell’unanimità, per garantire un’Unione più efficace e coesa in vista delle sfide future.
Qual è la posizione dell’Unione dei Federalisti Europei (UEF) sulla prospettiva dell’allargamento dell’Unione europea?
Noi siamo assolutamente favorevoli all’allargamento. L’Europa offre opportunità ai popoli e a tutti, quindi, non si può escludere nessun Paese. Detto questo, l’allargamento non può essere incondizionato. Deve essere un allargamento che vada di pari passo con l’approfondimento dell’unione politica, perché altrimenti non è possibile (andare avanti), per esempio con la regola dell’unanimità nel Consiglio. Molto chiaramente, non possiamo avere un Parlamento europeo con poteri statici, con un allargamento così grande, un Parlamento che ancora non può approvare le tasse per finanziare il bilancio dell’Unione europea o che non può decidere sulle emissioni di debito, ora che abbiamo creato il debito europeo. Quindi allargamento sì, ma anche approfondimento, questo significa una riforma federale dei trattati.
Sulla scia della proposta di riforma dei Trattati già lanciata dal Parlamento, c’è una prospettiva per la nuova legislatura di rilanciare il lavoro che è stato fatto dalla commissione Affari costituzionali?
Il lavoro è stato fatto, quindi, il Parlamento europeo non deve fare un altro report. Sarebbe invece utile una risoluzione del Parlamento che richiami il Consiglio europeo a rispondere alla proposta fatta dall’Eurocamera oramai quasi un anno fa, a novembre dell’anno scorso. Questo (passo) deve essere fatto perché il Consiglio europeo non si può rifiutare di tenere conto della proposta del Parlamento UE.
Vi è effettivamente questo spiraglio di richiamare il Consiglio con le maggioranze che si andranno a creare anche nella prospettiva di una crisi di leadership franco-tedesca? C’è una maggioranza abbastanza solida in Parlamento con cui poter fare pressione su questo fronte?
Io direi di sì, perché, è vero che abbiamo un Parlamento che è più a destra di quello precedente – con un rafforzamento dell’estrema destra – anche se fortunatamente non sufficiente per diventare maggioranza, nemmeno per diventare una minoranza di blocco. Allo stesso tempo si è rafforzato anche il Partito popolare europeo (PPE) che è una forza europeista. La stessa maggioranza che ha dato vita alla rielezione della presidente von der Leyen, formata da popolari, socialisti, liberali e verdi, è la stessa maggioranza che deve essere in grado di richiamare il Consiglio europeo. Inoltre, è una posizione del Parlamento europeo che non scade con la nuova Eurocamera.
Quali sono le prospettive di azione dell’UEF in questa nuova legislatura?
Noi abbiamo fatto tante iniziative – credo utili – per richiamare la Commissione europea a sostenerci, perché finora la Commissione europea era stata un po’ambigua sulla questione della riforma dei Trattati e ora è invece diventata una priorità politica.
La Commissione UE fino ad oggi non si era sbilanciata chiaramente in merito all’idea di una riforma dei Trattati. Siccome, alcuni gruppi politici, come quello liberale, hanno posto come condizione per appoggiare la nuova Commissione il suo sostegno alla riforma proposta dal Parlamento – o almeno una dimostrazione di disponibilità – questo tema è stato quindi inserito come parte delle ‘policy priorities’ della nuova Commissione.
Rimane sempre la battaglia con il Consiglio europeo. Abbiamo già inviato due lettere a Charles Michel (presidente del Consiglio europeo) il quale ci ha risposto ‘sì, non ci dimentichiamo, abbiamo iniziato la discussione nel quadro dell’agenda strategica del Consiglio europeo’. Questo va bene, ma bisogna metterlo all’ordine del giorno per una decisione.
Come UEF dobbiamo ora puntare tra qualche mese sul nuovo presidente del Consiglio europeo, Antonio Costa, per rilanciare questo tema.
Deadline: 22nd September 2024
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is recruiting a Policy Officer to work in the Secretariat based in Brussels.
Main Tasks:
- Support the Secretariat and the Executive Board in drafting policies (e.g. policy papers, press releases, statements, contribution to surveys and research);
- Support the development and implementation of the advocacy strategy of UEF;
- Support the representation and promotion of UEF towards external partners (European institutions, pro-European NGOs etc.);
- Support the federalist advocacy actions of UEF and its sections;
- Support UEF sections in developing their capacities regarding policy and advocacy;
- Support in policy monitoring on themes linked to the strategic priorities of UEF;
- Conceptualization and planning of projects (grant writing, content, budget, logistics);
- Responsibility over events implementation: organization of international meetings and political events where needed;
- On demand, there might be support requested on occasion for different tasks to help colleagues, distribute workload and meet the targets of the organisation together as a team.
Essential qualifications and qualities:
- Master’s degree is an asset but can be compensated with relevant working experience adequate for the position;
- Excellent command of English (C1);
- Extensive knowledge of EU institutions and processes;
- Interest in European topics relevant to UEF;
- An activist mindset and strong commitment to social change and the values and vision of UEF ;
- Being passionate about membership-based political organisations and volunteering;
- Proactive and problem-solving mindset, with strong organisational and time management skills;
- Flexibility and willingness to learn into new things quickly on the job;
- Team player and comfortable in an international environment;
- Organised and precise approach to work;
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office , collaborative tools and videoconferencing tools.
Desiderable:
- Excellent command of French (C1) and working knowledge of other EU languages.
- Experience in European project management is an asset;
- Knowledge of UEF organization, its network, values, structure, mission, activities;
- Previous experience in membership-based and/or political organisations (volunteer experience included).
Contract conditions and remuneration:
- 12-month fixed-term contract under Belgian law, with the possibility of extension;
- Full-time, 38 hours/week;
- Monthly gross salary €1,995 plus additional benefits (€50 for public transportation, food vouchers, holiday pay) – equaling approx. to 2,000 EUR net remuneration per month;
- Work during weekends and/or evenings several times a year, with time off in lieu as compensation. The position requires some travels in Europe several times during the year, and all travel-related expenses will be covered or reimbursed by UEF.
Application procedure and agenda:
- Send a CV and a motivational letter by September 22nd 2024, 23:59 CET at secretariat@federalists.eu;
- All applicants should have the right to live and work in Belgium;
- Successful candidates will be invited for online and face-to-face interviews (from the 10th to the 30th);
- The selected candidate would ideally start working on the 1st October 2024;
- For all questions, please contact us at secretariat@federalists.eu.
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).
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
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
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
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
SPECIAL SESSION
14:45 | Council Room Municipality of Ventotene | Spinelli Group Meeting and Signature of the Action Committee for the United States of Europe partnership
14:45 Institutional greetings
- Giuseppe Pepe (Vice-Mayor of Ventotene)
14:55 Opening speech
- Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the Union of European Federalists, ex-officio Member of the Spinelli Group
15:15 – 16:15 Interventions
- Thijs Reuten, MEP (S&D), Member of the Spinelli Group
- Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists
- Luisa Trumellini, Secretary General of Movimento Federalista Europeo
- Philippe Laurette, President of Association Jean Monnet
- Giulia Rossolillo, Vice-President of the Union of European Federalists
16:15 Signing ceremony of the political declaration and the partnership agreement for the Action Committee
Interventions:
- Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the Union of European Federalists
- Philippe Laurette, President of the Association Jean Monnet
- Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists
16:30 Final remarks
- Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the Union of European Federalists
DOCUMENTS
17.00 | Sala Polifunzionale | Joint inauguration of the 43rd Ventotene Italian Seminar and 40th International Seminar
Opening of the 40th Italian Ventotene Seminar
Institutional greetings (ITA):
- Giuseppe Pepe, Vice-Mayor of Ventotene
- Vittoria Ciaramella, Prefect of Latina
- Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region
- Gerardo Stefanelli, President of the Province of Latina
- Gabriele Panizzi, Vice-President of the Altiero Spinelli Institute
Opening of the 40th International Ventotene Seminar joint session with the Italian Seminar
Institutional greetings – Opening (ENG) with
- Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission EU
- Guy Verhofstadt, EMI President, ex-officio Member of the Spinelli Group
- Domenec Ruiz Devesa, UEF President
- Nikolaos Farantouris, MEP The Left, Member of the Spinelli Group
- Thijs Reuten, MEP S&D Member of the Spinelli Group
- Philippe Laurette, President Association Jean Monnet,
- Klaus Welle, former Secretary-General of the European Parliament, Chair Martens Centre’s Academic Council
Chairman
- Stefano Castagnoli, President Altiero Spinelli Institute and MFE President
Awarding of the ‘Antonio Saggio’ Prize
Commemoration of Eugenio Colorni - Cancellation and postcard Poste Italiane s.p.a
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
9.30 – 13.00: History and role of federalism and of the European Federalists (SPECIAL SESSION with House Jean Monnet)
- Domenec Ruiz Devesa, President of the Union of European Federalists, former MEP (2019-2024)
- Luisa Trumellini, National Secretary of the Movimento Federalista Europeo
- Martì Grau Segu, House Jean Monnet
17.00 – 20.00 | Reconciling the need for federal deepening and political enlargement
- Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists (JEF), Executive Bureau Member of the UEF
- Luca Lionello, Chair of the PC1 of the UEF Federal Committee - On Federalist Strategy for a Federal Reform of the EU
SPECIAL SESSION
21:15 | Council Room, Municipality of Ventotene | Action Committee for the United States of Europe Meeting
21:15 Institutional greetings
- Giuseppe Pepe (Vice-Mayor of Ventotene)
21:30 Opening speech
- Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the Union of European Federalists
21:50 - 22:30 Interventions
- Taillie Lieven, Vice-President of the Jean Monnet Association (online)
- Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists
- Martí Grau Segú, Head of Service and Curator of the Jean Monnet House at the European Parliament
- Luisa Trumellini, Secretary General of Movimento Federalista Europeo
- Virgilio Dastoli, President of the European Movement Italy
- Giulia Rossolillo, Vice-President of the Union of European Federalists
- Klaus Welle. former Secretary-General of the European Parliament, Chair Martens Centre’s Academic Council
22:30 Final remarks
- Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the Union of European Federalists
Moderation:
- Stefano Castagnoli, President of the Institute of Federalist Studies Altiero Spinelli
***Signing ceremony will take place on Sunday afternoon 1 September 2024 in the frame of the Spinelli Group Meeting
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
9.30-13.00: European sovereignty in the proposals of the European Parliament to amend the Treaties
- Giulia Rossolillo, Vice-President of the Union of European Federalists, Professor of European Union Law
- Sophie Heine (remote), Author and consultant, research associate at the Egmont Institute - Royal Institute of International Relations, UEF France Scientific Committee
17.00 – 20.00: The digital transformation. Challenges and opportunities
- Brando Benifei (remote), MEP S&D, Member of the Spinelli Group
- Benedetta Veneruso, JEF Estonia President
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
9.30 – 13:00 | Building an EU Defense for Fostering Positive Peace
- Vincenzo Camporini, Former Chief of the Defence General Staff and consultant of Istituto Affari Internazionali
- Kati Systä, JEF Executive Board Member
17.00 – 20.00 | The ecological transformation. Challenges and opportunities
- Chloè Fabre, Chair of the PC4 of the UEF Federal Committee - On the European Green Deal, Energy union, digital transition, and related economic policies President of UEF France
- Hanna Lein-Mathisen, JEF Executive Board Member
21.45, Sala Polifunzionale | Projection of the documentary film "La voce di Ventotene" (2023, ‘65 minutes, Italian audio, English subtitles) with introduction from the director Stefano Di Polito
Over 800 anti-fascist prisoners were transferred to the tiny island of Ventotene starting in July 1939, including Sandro Pertini (later President of the Italian Republic), Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi.
Despite the harsh restrictions, they managed to organize a clandestine library and write the important Ventotene Manifesto, which would lay the foundations for the European Union.
After 80 years, the documentary retraces this story through the voices of the islanders.
INFO AND TRAILER: stefanodipolito.it/la-voce-di-ventotene
INTRODUCTIONS
- Stefano Di Polito, Director
- Alessio Castagna, Director of Photography
- Stefano Castagnoli, President of the Altiero Spinelli Institute
- Daphne Gogue, Executive Board Member of UEF
- Mayor or Deputy Mayor, Muncipality of Ventotene
MODERATOR
- Martina Ciai, Writer
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
9.30 – 13:00 | How can EU win the challenge of competitiveness
- Fabio Masini, Economist, lecturer in the History of Economic Thought and Jean Monnet Chair on European Economic Governance at Roma Tre University
- Giorgia Sorrentino, Secretary General of JEF Italy
17.00 – 20.00 | Federalism to govern globalization: international justice, common institutions and cooperation (Special Session with WFM-IGP)
- Daphne Gogou, Executive Bureau Member of the UEF
- James A. Williams, Director Asian Youth Centre, president South Asian Federalists
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
9.30 -13:00 | Conclusions of the International Seminar - Our commitments as federalists: Innovation and tradition
Panel discussion on political communication and campaigns
- Davide Negri, UEF Secreatariat Political Communication and Campaign Strategist
- Flavia Sandu, UEF Secretariat Policy Officer
The Ventotene Seminar on the press
The European Letter is back and it is dedicated to the post European Elections.
The election of Ursula Von Der Leyen as President of the Commission with the vote of the pro-European forces sends an important signal of stability, also reinforced by the downsizing of the Rassemblement national in France after the legislative elections. In her keynote speech, she also announced the next Commission's commitment to treaty reform. The window of opportunity to reform the Union thus remains open, however complex. In the meantime, history continues to knock on Europe's doors to finally come of age and assume its responsibilities.
The European Letter is published in 7 languages - from the edition 77 - under the auspices of the Luciano Bolis European Foundation in cooperation with the Union of European Federalists.
The European Letter is a periodical publication started in 1997 with the aim of stimulating political debate in national parliaments and governments, and in the European Parliament.
The European Letter 81 entitled "After the election of the EU Parliament, the reform of the EU Treaties enters into the agenda of the new European Commission", is sent to parliamentarians in the following legislative bodies:
- European Parliament
- Bundestag
- Parliament of the French Republic
- Parliament of the Italian Republic
- Cortes generales (Spanish Parliament)
- Nationalrat (Austrian Parliament)
- Belgian Federal Parliament
- Hellenic Parliament
- Parlamentul României
Here the version avaiable:
28 August 2024 - Much More than a Market, How to reform the European Union? (Political Debate)
29 August 2024 - Time to Update the Treaties for a Stronger and Larger EU (Political Debate)
29 August - Federalist terrace
30 August - Workshops “Increasing organisational capacity of the Nordic-Baltic federalist family” and “Advocating for federalism in the Nordic-Baltic context”
On 18 July 2024, the YouTube channel EU Made Simple conducted 4 interviews with MEPs - Sandro Gozi, Gabriele Bischoff, Markus Ferber and Daniel Freund - members of the Spinelli Group, as Media Partner of the action that European federalists carried out on 18-19 July in Strasbourg ‘Reform Europe Now’ in view of the inauguration of the new European Parliament.
Find below the 4 interviews
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:
- Street action in front of the European Parliament : post 1, post 2,
- Update of the Spinelli Group composition, news, and events: post 1
- Political debate at the Association Parlamentaire Europeen (APE) with MEPs Sandro Gozi (Renew), Gabrielle Bischoff (S&D), Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA), Zejiana Zovko (EPP)
- Interviews with MEPs members of the Spinelli Group: Sandro Gozi (Renew, and President of the Spinelli Group), Gabrielle Bischoff (S&D), Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA), Markus Ferber (EPP)
PRESS CONTACT
Ilaria Caria
Secretary-General
secretariat@federalists.eu
Thank you very much for recording Olalla Pastor del Valle of the Union des Fédéralistes Européens - France (UEF France)
More news here https://federalists.eu/event/17-19-july-federalist-events-for-the-opening-of-the-new-european-parliament/
The UEF President Domenec Ruiz Devesa has signed four letters, that we publish below, addressed to the Presidency of the main pro-European political group in the European Parliament that which are officially constituted - EPP, S&D, Renew and The Left, right before the meetings among the EP groups and the candidate of the European Commission President.
Each letter calls to includes those points as key institutional conditions in exchange of its support for the election of the Commission President:
- Commission´s support to review and update the 2010 Framework Agreement.
- Commission´s support to European Parliament resolution of 22 November 2023 on proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties, in the context of the consultation foreseen in article 48 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU).
- Commission´s readiness to open a bilateral negotiation with Parliament on its powers of inquiry, on the basis of its latest proposal dated on 11 July 2023, as foreseen in article 226 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
And they concluded "It is my view that Parliament´s leverage at this moment is at its peak, and therefore must be wisely used. I am sure that you will succeed in improving the powers and influence of our institution at this critical time."