Deadline: 15th January 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 January 15th 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 a face-to-face or online interview in the last weeks of January (from the 15th to the 31st );
• The selected candidate would ideally start working on the 1st February 2024;
• For all questions, please contact us at secretariat@federalists.eu.

Brussels, 13 December 2023

The Plenary of the European Parliament has adopted the report Ruiz Devesa - Simon on the European Elections 2024, which includes the proposals of the European Parliament on how to organize the European elections of June next year. The text provides for recommendations to be submitted to European and national political parties to strengthen the European dimension of the electoral process and increase the participation and electoral rights of the EU citizens.
 
"We call to the European political parties, and especially national parties, to commit to a series of recommendations, such as including the logos of European political forces on their ballot papers," says Ruiz Devesa. It also urges European political parties to ensure that the content of their campaigns is conducted in line with the values of Article 2 of the EU Treaty and that the process for nominating their candidates for election is carried out democratically.

The report calls for a binding agreement between the European Parliament and the European Council on the "lead candidate" process for the election of the president of the European Commission. "It is important that, contrary to what happened in 2019, this time we can indeed ensure that the head of the list principle is complied with," defends Ruiz Devesa. "We propose that the candidate of the political group that obtains the most seats in the elections has the opportunity to start negotiations with the rest of the groups to try to form a sufficient majority and, if not, that the turn passes to the second most voted and so on until the Parliament can have a common candidate."
 
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) welcomes this important decision and calls on the European political parties to quickly adopt this set of recommendations, and—in addition—to provide voters with clear indications of their position on the crucial issue of treaty change.
 
Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the UEF said: "The next elections to the European Parliament must aim to evaluate the last five years of activity of the EU institutions, in a real exercise of democracy and European politics,". We cannot have "a collection of 27 parallel national elections that depend on domestic issues, but we must Europeanise this discussion and thus stimulate participation in the European elections, putting European issues on the agenda of the media".
 
It is possible to rewatch the Press Conference after the vote here.
 
In the coming months, the UEF will roll out its campaigning activities, encouraging citizens to vote from 6 to 9 June 2024, reminding candidates of the importance of a federal Europe, and debating the future of our Continent.

The European Letter is back.

The European Letter is published in 5 languages under the auspices of the Luciano Bolis European Foundation in cooperation with the Union of European Federalists, whose activities are co-financed by the European Union.

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 76 entitled "European Parliament activates the treaty revision procedure: the significance of the vote and Europe’s priorities", 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

The European Letter 76 publishes the note written by Luca Lionello after the 22 November vote in the European Parliament on the proposals of the European Parliament's for the Amendment of the Treaties (2022/2051(INL)). This report proposes a profound institutional reform to make the European Union more democratic and capable of action, and thus adequate to face political challenges and enlargement. This vote also formally opens the procedure for Treaty revision, and in this respect calls on national governments and parliaments to take sides.

Precisely with this in mind - in view of the EU Council's transmission to the European Council (hopefully as early as December, so that a decision can be taken at the March meeting) - the European Letter publishes this note explaining the content and value of this Report and invites national parliaments to discuss it with their governments.

The European Letter has also pointed out this draft resolution (LINK) for national parliaments to discuss and adopt.

Here below the four translated version of the European Letter:

• European Letter 76
• Lettera Europea 76
• Europaischer Brief 76
• Lettre Europeenne 76

Original report in French by UEF France

A look back at the European Dialogue on 2 December ‘Election 2024: Meeting citizens’ expectations’.

On 2 December 2023, the Union of European Federalists and UEF France, Young Europeans and the European Movement hosted a European Dialogue at Europa Experience in Paris focusing on the 2024 European elections and how to meet citizens' expectations. After a welcome by Sandrine Amiel from the European Parliament Representation in France, the presidents and spokespersons of the associations Chloé Fabre, Marie Trelat and Laure Niclot introduced the discussions, which were moderated by Aurore Laloux, president of Jeunes européens Paris.

The first round table gave Frédéric Petit, Mercedes Bresso and Valérie Hayer the opportunity to address key issues relating to the future of Europe: the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the EU budget and welcoming new Member States.

Issues for the Future of Europe

-* Frédéric Petit, Député des Français de l’Étranger

Frédéric Petit raised an essential question: is Europe capable of enlarging while respecting democratic values and the rule of law? Comparing European expansion to the formation of a family, he stressed the need to understand the ‘why’ of enlargement and the will behind it.
Analysing existing models, Mr Petit distinguished between imperialism and cooperation, stressing that the EU, while successful, is not the first model in history. Historical examples such as the Republic of Yale Vodine were cited, highlighting the challenges of language, armed forces and borders. The deputy pleaded for Europe's capacity to adapt and enlarge, stressing that this was an inescapable necessity.

-* Mercedes Bresso, Member of the European Parliament

Mercedes Bresso highlighted the EU's crisis management and the growing need for strategic autonomy, particularly in the context of relations with NATO. She underlined the creation of the strategic defence compass in 2021 and the need to structure the States into a confederal area for a common and coherent voice.
Ms Bresso also addressed development aid policy, proposing that it be transformed into a strategic partnership for co-development.
She called for an effective response from Member States to meet the major challenges expected by citizens, making Europe a significant global player.

The EU's budgetary challenges

-* Valérie Hayer, Member of the European Parliament

Valérie Hayer stressed the need to strengthen the EU budget (currently 1% of European GDP) to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. She pointed to the current imbalance where state contributions dominate EU funding, creating a negotiating mechanism that traps everyone in the hands of the Member States.

Ms Hayer highlighted the significant advances made, in particular the adoption of the Next Generation EU recovery plan in 2020, which has led to the creation of a common debt and the prospect of own resources. The plastic contribution is one of the first measures to be taken. She also highlighted the institutional challenges posed by the need for unanimity in the decision-making process, arguing for the necessary reform of the Treaties.

Towards a more democratic, efficient and united Europe in 2050

-* Christophe Chabrot, lecturer in Public Law at Lyon II, member of the UEF Scientific Council

Mr Chabrot spoke of the crucial role of the European Parliament as the chamber of European unity and democracy, which federalists have succeeded in having elected by direct universal suffrage. He underlined the current challenges, such as the emergence of new political divisions and the strengthening of the extreme and nationalist right in Europe. He stressed the need for a new European narrative to combat these extremes.

Mr Chabrot encouraged reflection on how to make the European Parliament more powerful while preserving the diversity of opinions. He opened the way towards a stronger political Europe, highlighting the fundamental issues of democracy and treaty reform.

A manifesto for the European elections

The afternoon concluded with a presentation of the Manifesto for the European elections put forward by the three associations, which structures the proposals around 5 axes:

For a more democratic Europe ready to welcome new members
For a Europe that provides social support for the ecological transition
For a Europe that gives itself the means to act
For a Europe capable of asserting itself as a global player and working for peace
For a Europe of solidarity, an area of freedom, capable of managing migration to provide a dignified welcome

We publish here the letter signed by the UEF President MEP Domenec Ruiz Devesa and the Chair of the Spinelli Group Sandro Gozi sent after the UEF Congress held in Brussels on 25-26 November 2023 on 29 November 2023 to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, requesting to include in the Agenda of the European Council of 14-15 December 2023 the discussion on the European Parliament position on proposals for the amendment to the Treaties in order to reach a political agreement for the calling of the Convention.

In the letter is include also as attachament the "Manifesto For a Federal Europe: The urgency of overcoming the current treaties" adopted during the UEF Congress.

The UEF would like to thank the distinguished guests who took the time to participate in the Congress.
For the greetings: Hans-Gert Pöttering (LINK VIDEO) Former President of the European Parliament (2007-2009), President of the House of European History, Petros Fassoulas Secretary General of the European Movement International, Christelle Savall, President of Young European Federalists and Fernando Iglesias President of the World of Federalist Movement. In particular, we thank  Josep Borrell High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, that have taken a time to follow the works of the first session of the Congress.

Political Documents approved by the Congress

The Congress approved several documents. You can find them below:

• Manifesto For a Federal Europe: the Urgency of Overcoming the Current Treaties LINK
• Resolution for Restoring Growth and Competitiveness in Europe LINK
• Statement The Atrocities of the Wars in Ukraine and Palestine Remind Us of the Urgency of Having a Federal European Government to be Able to Act on the International Stage LINK
• Political Declaration Reinforcing UEF-WFM Cooperation LINK

Other documents

• Financial Report 2021 -2023
• Activity Report 2021-2023
• Workshop on the UEF’s political strategy ahead of the 2024 European elections
• Presentation of the study "Mapping the cost of non-Europe (2022-2032)" by Meena Fernandes
• EPRS Study "Mapping the cost of non-Europe"
• Letter to Charles Michel, President of European Council co-signed by  signed Domenec Ruiz Devesa UEF President and Sandro Gozi as Chair of the Spinelli Group LINK
• Draft resolution to propose to national parliaments to launch mobilization LINK

Result of the Elections

All bodies of the UEF found their members, all elected unanimously in an open ballot. Congratulations to newly elected and returning members of the following bodies:

• Executive Bureau
  • President: Domènec Ruiz Devesa
  • Vice-Presidents: Markus Ferber, Alin Mituta, Giulia Rossilollo
  • Treasurer ad interim: Roland Hûhn
  • Secretary-General ad interim: Luisa Trumellini
  • Other EB members: Antonio Argenziano, Rafael Bez, François Leray, Daphne Gogou, François Mennerat, Eszter Nagy, Alejandro Peinado Garcia, and Wolfgang Wettach.
  • ex-officio member of the EB: Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists
• For the Arbitration Board:  Ugo Ferruta, Daniel Frey, Marianne Huhn, Andreu Iranzo Navarro, Peter Osten, Stefano Spoltore, Daniela White.

• For the Federal Committee:
  • Directly-elected Federal Committee members: Matilde Ceron, Aldecoa Francisco, Nikos Giannis, Angel Landabaso, Eva Lichtenberger, Jean Marsia, Hervè Moritz, Olalla Pastor del Valle, Luis Miguel Periza, Kati Sista, Flavia Gabriela Sandu
  • Nominated members, the list is in the process of being completed LINK

Political message by the UEF President, Domènec Ruiz Devesa

Dear Federalist friends,

Just a few words from me before I leave you with this communication on the Congress that has just taken place.
First of all, let me thank you for the trust you have shown me by electing me as UEF President. It is an honour for me, as well as a great responsibility, because I am and feel first and foremost a federalist activist, who is currently in the institutions, but who lives the federalist commitment as his own priority, and in this sense also feels the relationship with the UEF.

These two years ahead of us will be important years to consolidate our organisation and find the right financial and administrative balance. They will be even more important politically, because they can be decisive for our Europe in taking the crucial steps towards a federal Union.

Our congress took place just three days after the approval by the European Parliament of the proposal to reform the treaties, the first one since the adoption of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007, the first attempt at reforming the treaty in more than 15 years. We know the process that made it possible to arrive at this vote, through the Conference on the Future of Europe in which we participated directly; and we also know that it is a great opportunity, the only one today, and the first after 40 years since Altiero Spinelli's Draft Treaty, to realise the federal Europe.

Today, therefore, while we are committed to building a broad and widespread campaign in view of the European elections, we urgently need to mobilise ourselves for the success of the next step, i.e. the decision of the European Council in favour of launching a Convention to elaborate the reform of the Treaties. We have urged the Spanish Presidency to immediately transmit the European Parliament resolution to the European Council and asked to President Charles Michel to put it in the agenda of the European Council of the 15th of December, although resistance from national governments will probably force a postponement. Here it is very important the role of the national sections to involve their national parliaments and urge the governments to be in favour of the opening of the Convention. The letter signed by me as UEF President and Sandro Gozi as Chair of the Spinelli Group has just been sent (LINK), together with the Manifesto we approved in our Congress; and here (LINK) you can find a draft resolution to propose to your national parliaments, to launch the mobilization.

We have a very important job to do. I thank you once more very much for all your work, commitment and dedication in federalism. I am convinced that we will work together with confidence and commitment over the next two years, and that together we can make a positive difference in order to meet the challenge of federal Europe. And since it's a long process, by definition the best has always yet to come.

A long road begins to meet citizens' demands and build a more solid future of the EU.
The Union of European Federalists, who strongly supports these proposals of the European Parliament to amend the Treaties, launched a massive and successful outreach campaign encouraging citizen engagement and pressuring MEPs ahead of a crucial vote at the European Parliament.

On Wednesday 22 November, the European Parliament approved the Report on the proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties drafted by Spinelli Group members Guy Verhofstadt, Sven Simon, Gabriele Bischoff, Daniel Freund, and Helmut Scholz.

This was a historic vote, which sees the European Parliament once again playing a leading role after forty years, since the draft Treaty inspired by Altiero Spinelli, in an attempt to strengthen the political and decision-making architecture of Europe to make it a protagonist of the challenges of its time.

Today the vote falls at a time of serious international crisis and during a process of profound transformation of our societies that requires us to act united as Europeans, to strengthen our common house so that it is more effective and at the same time more capable of providing answers to the needs of citizens.

In support of this courageous initiative by the European Parliament, which is in line with the commitments made by the European institutions at the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and its sections all over Europe met citizens in more than 30 European cities and online to inform them about the crucial vote of Wednesday.

From 6 to 19 November 2023, Federalist activists organised demonstrations and debates, in the streets and on social media. To know more about our actions, visit the UEF website and watch the livestream of Monday 20 November, featuring the organisers of these local actions. See here also the photo action inside the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday 21 November.

UEF President Domènec Ruiz Devesa in view of the upcoming plenary sent a letter together with Spinelli Group Chair MEP Sandro Gozi to their colleagues of the European Parliament, stating: “An affirmative vote on Wednesday 22 November on the Report on proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties is exactly the answer that our Union and citizens need. I hope that together, as the European citizens’ representatives, we will show a wide majority in the Plenary vote, sending a clear message to the Council and urging its transmission to the European Council under the Spanish Presidency. Thus, we will have the opportunity to discuss the citizens' priorities for a more effective European Union already in the European Council meeting of 15 December 2023” 

The UEF urges the Spanish Presidency of the European Union to immediately transmit the file to the Council of the European Union and asks Charles Michel, in his capacity as President of the European Council to put the decision on the call for a Convention on the agenda of its 15 December meeting.
 

Brussels, 22 November 2023

Context
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a pan-European, non-governmental political organisation dedicated to the promotion of European political unity.
The draft report on the amendment of the treaties is the European Parliament’s answer to the Conference on the Future of Europe, an unprecedented democratic exercise that gathered 800 European citizens. These citizens gave out recommendations for institutional reforms of the European Union, and several of them found their way into the report voted today.
Today's vote is the last step to formally call for a Convention to reform the treaty, but only the start of the reform process.

The UEF Secretariat togheter the staff of the MEP and UEF President Domenec Ruiz Devesa has organized a photo action inside the Agora of the Europan Parliament in Strasbourg, involving the MEPs Co-rapporteurs and MEPs of the Spinelli Group.

Rewatch here the photo action organized at the European Parliament in Strasbourg before the discussion on the report AFCO on the proposal of the Treaty Reform. There were present Guy Verhofstadt, Helmut Scholz and Daniel Freund. There were also present MEPs UEF President Domenec Ruiz Devesa, Brando Benifei, former UEF President Mercedes Bresso, Pietro Bartolo, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, Alin Mituta, Petras Austrevicius