On Monday, 24 November 2025, the Spinelli Group and the Union of European Federalists co-hosted the “Bring a European Federalist” Reception at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The initiative aimed to revitalise the federalist spirit within and around the European Parliament, at a time marked by geopolitical instability, democratic fatigue, and the resurgence of nationalist narratives. Bringing together policymakers, activists, and members of civil society, the event provided a space to reconnect, exchange ideas, and strengthen the network of pro-European and federalist forces.
The reception gathered around twenty Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and 15 parliamentary assistants, demonstrating strong engagement across political groups and institutional levels.
The programme opened with remarks by Gabriele Bischoff, Chair of the Spinelli Group, and Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the UEF. An interactive session followed, encouraging dialogue between founding members, experienced federalists, current representatives, and newcomers.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks for the presence of Elmar Brok, former President of the UEF, and for the valuable contribution of Guy Verhofstadt, whose intervention enriched the discussion and reaffirmed the importance of a strong and united Europe.
During the event, several participants agreed to act as testimonials for the UEF fundraising campaign “The Federalists Poster Series”. They were portrayed with reproductions of artworks by Italian artist Lorenzo Epis, contributing to an initiative that combines visual culture and political engagement to support the federalist cause.
The evening concluded with a networking reception, offering participants the opportunity to continue discussions in an informal setting and to build new connections across the federalist community.
The Trump’s administration 28 points for peace between Ukraine and Russia, negotiated secretly with Russia without Ukraine and the EU, seem to have been dictated by Putin and resemble more a capitulation project rather than a peace project.
This is the darkest hour for Ukraine and for the EU. Our destinies, our freedom and dignity are intertwined, we will defend them together, or we will lose them together.
President Zelensky recalled his engagement for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence and that dignity and freedom of the Ukrainians cannot be neglected.
Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the EU and several heads of States and Governments of the EU asked that any solution shall be taken together with Ukraine and the EU. On November 22nd, several Heads of State and Government, the president of the European Council and the President of the European Commission issued a statement on Ukraine that welcomes in very diplomatic terms the US plan and restate their support for Ukraine. The time for cowardice is over, and courage and determination are needed to avoid being overwhelmed.
Ukraine and the EU countries must reject the reduction of Ukraine and the EU to puppets. Our governments must react together, to take back control of our destiny and defend our freedom, our democracy, and our values.
The EU should fully support Ukraine and Ukrainians to protect their sovereignty; maintain the sanctions towards Russia and make them more effective, as long as the war of aggression continues; require a ceasefire to start any further negotiation. Especially, the EU should immediately use the frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, and member states should be jointly liable together with Belgium in case of legal challenges.
With the return of Great Power Politics the EU cannot survive if it remains divided. If we do not overcome it, we cannot bring effective political support to Ukraine either. Only by strengthening European sovereignty and uniting in a true federation we can be free and secure in Europe.
Ukraine’s struggle for freedom constitutes an essential element for the maintenance of security and freedom in Europe. Ukraine and the EU shall come up with an alternative proposal to the 28 points plan of the US administration, based on the respect of International Law, including the recognition of Ukrainian sovereignty and its legitimate borders, its rights to defend itself and to decide on its own army, and a plan to finance its reconstruction. Building peace requires democracy, respect of the Rule of Law and institutions that guarantee peace.
We must face together the powerful enemies who seek to destroy us. In the darkest hour, it is time to relaunch the path towards federation. It is time to create the United States of Europe.
We would like to share here the interview by the greek journalist Yiannis Papageorgiou to the chair of the Spinelli Group Gabriele Bischoff and published in the newspaper Insider with the title: An unacceptable ultimatum for Ukraine and for Europe
To read in Greek here
Gabriele Bischoff, president of the Spinelli Group and MEP belonging to the Socialists and Democrats group, was in Athens on the occasion of the Meeting of the Federal Committee of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and UEF-Greece.
We had the opportunity for a short interview with her, on the sidelines of the opening event of the Conference, in the Senate of the Hellenic Parliament, when she argued that Europe is at a "make it or break it" point.
You mentioned that we are in a 'make it or break it' moment for the EU. Why do you say this?
We have enormous challenges ahead of us; We have a geopolitical situation that is very unstable. The model of globalization we knew now belongs to history. We are seeing growing nationalism in many Member States and we are facing problems related to the competitiveness of our industry, our business model as well... With these global challenges, for example, economies that rely heavily on exports face enormous difficulties. And at this juncture we really need a strong European response. We are also in a period of war in Europe, where we see that Europe no longer plays a role. If you look at Trump's proposals and the so-called 28-point plan... If Europe wants to play a role in the world in the future, if it wants to create a strong economy, if it really wants to become more independent and strengthen its strategic economy, it needs to change course. It must have the resources and policies to be a strong player and ensure prosperity for all in the future.
You point out the geopolitical changes that are taking place at the moment. In what ways do you think the Federalists or the Socialists and Democrats should reposition themselves so that their positions can be more effective?
If the European Union had followed the recommendations of the Federalists earlier, for example with regard to changes in the Treaties, but also with regard to the proposals of the Socialists and Democrats Group, we would not have been in a situation like the one we are in today. If we had taken the next steps in security and foreign policy, for example by reducing the possibilities for vetoes, speaking with a European voice, we could have got there. If we had the courage to take some next steps in integration...
Do you think that this also applies to the deepening and completion of the single market? In fact, if we were to take the Draghi and Letta reports as a compass for the future...
When Jacques Delors created the single market, he had a vision for Europe and also a political vision associated with it. Today, if we perceive it simply as a "technocratic exercise" and focus only on technocratic steps in terms of the direction in which we want to transform Europe, this will not work. If everyone only takes the points of the two reports that they like and we do not discuss again a great European project, a vision for Europe with concrete steps, we will not succeed. Europe can no longer function as a purely technocratic project.
Are you optimistic about the future, considering the serious obstacles you mentioned?
Yes, because I have seen that Europe is capable of acting when it is under enormous pressure. We saw it in COVID-19, we also saw it when the war started. I would like to have a European Union that can be reformed in good times, because when you are under pressure, you have to be very fast and then sometimes you make mistakes. But I know and I am convinced that Europe can change in very difficult situations, and I believe that we are already in quite difficult situations. How many threats and how many bells — for example now with Trump's plan for Ukraine — how many wake-up calls does the EU need to really respond?
We would like to share here the opinion signed by UEF President Domenec Ruiz Devesa and published in Politico with the title: EU Parliament must be willing to use its veto power
To read in English here LINK
Negotiations on the EU’s 2028–2034 Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) have entered a new phase of political significance.
Traditionally, this process follows a familiar pattern: The European Commission proposes a draft budget, the Council bargains behind closed doors, then, at the final stage, the Parliament is called in to give or withhold consent. It’s a sequence of affairs that has long placed the Parliament in a weak position before a nearly finished deal — but not this time.
In a break from previous iterations, this time the Parliament intervened early and managed to secure concessions. This is a feat that should be acknowledged. However, recognizing this success shouldn’t obscure the political stakes that remain.
Following the Commission’s initial proposal, the Parliament was able to assert itself at the very start of the MFF process through a joint letter from the presidents of its main political groups, expressing clear institutional expectations, financial priorities and political conditions. As a result, the Commission offered improvements regarding the role of regional authorities in the implementation of agricultural and cohesion programs, and accepted an enhanced role for the Parliament to monitor the MFF’s execution.
As previously noted by this very publication, the Parliament’s unusually early involvement was able to influence the framework before the Council began its negotiations — a notable break from precedent that should be seen as a strategic gain for parliamentary democracy at the European level.
Please find here below the resolutions and the urgent statement approved
- Resolution 1 - Federalist Strategy for a Federal Reform of the EU
- Resolution 2 - A Federal Europe to build a genuine European Defense and foreign policy
- Resolution 3 - Tonight or Never
- Resolution 4 - European Digital Sovereignty Now
- Urgent Statement - Ukraine and the EU should stand firm and come up with a proper peace plan for peace between Ukraine and Russia
Please find here below the documents presented by UEF Secretariat and EB Members
- Activity Report of the UEF (covering the period from early July to the end of November 2025)
- Analysis of UEF advocacy achievements in the field of defence
- UEF Budget Presentation 2026
Report from UEF Sections (the UEF Secretariat can receve more reports by other sections)
- Report UEF France Activities 2023-2025
- Executive Summary EUD Activities 2025
- Report MFE Activities June - Nov 2025
- Report UEF Spain Activities 2025
Some pictures of the event
Here the press release the inform about the event: LINK
Here the interview article to Domenec Ruiz Devesa form ATHENS DIGEST: LINK
We would like to share here the opinion signed by UEF President Domenec Ruiz Devesa and published in the Spanish newspaper Informacion with the title: Draghi y Gozi: federalismo pragmático y transformador
To read in Spanish here LINK
The European Parliament has just passed a major report calling for EU reform and enlargement to happen together — a potential turning point for Europe’s future. This video breaks down what the proposal means, who’s behind it, and how it could reshape the Union into a faster, more democratic, and more powerful Europe. We’ll look at what’s changing in decision-making, the Parliament, and the EU budget — and why it matters for countries waiting to join. Could this finally be the first real step toward a federal Europe?
Let’s unpack what just happened in Brussels.
Video produced by our social media partner EU Made Simple.
EP calls for the second time in three years for institutional reforms in view of the enlargement. It also reminds the European Council of its pending proposal approved in 2023 of Treaty amendments.
Brussels, 23 October 2025
The Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Spinelli Group welcome the approval by the European Parliament of the resolution on the institutional consequences of the EU enlargement negotiations, reported by Sandro Gozi MEP, former Chair of the Spinelli Group and Honorary President of the UEF.
“This report starts from a simple conviction: the real question today is not whether the European Union should enlarge, but how to ensure that enlargement strengthens our Union. The cost of inaction would be too high. Institutional reform is no longer a choice; it is a necessity. Continental unification and reform must go hand in hand. We must reform the Union to unify Europe.” stated Sandro Gozi.
This landmark resolution sends a clear message to the European Council: Europe cannot enlarge without reforming itself. It outlines concrete steps to make the Union fit for future enlargements and for global challenges that demand a stronger, more democratic, and effective European Union.
“Enlargement and deepening go hand in hand. The candidate countries must make enormous efforts to become eligible for accession. The same applies to the EU. It must reform itself in order to become bigger and stronger and to strengthen its own capacity to act.” Added Gabriele Bischoff, MEP, Chair of the Spinelli Group and Vice-President of Europa Union Deutschland.
In essence, the European Parliament is calling for a more representative and empowered EU Parliament, a streamlined and balanced Commission and a Council freed from the unanimity trap through available flexibility in the Lisbon Treaty and Treaty reforms.
Many of those points recall the resolution approved on 22 November 2023. The European Parliament reminded that it had already submitted a proposal to amend the treaties in accordance with Article 48.
Among the most significant proposals supported by the UEF and the Spinelli Group are:
- The Parliament’s composition must be reformed before enlargement to maintain democratic representativeness while ensuring an efficient size. Reinforce the democratic legitimacy of EU decision-making by strengthening Parliament’s rights of scrutiny and inquiry. Empower Parliament by placing it on an equal footing with the Council and granting it the full right of legislative initiative — the power to propose, amend, or repeal Union laws.This would complete the transition toward a true bicameral legislative system at the EU level.
- The Council’s voting system must be redefined for an enlarged Union. Propose Treaty amendments to expand QMV and reduce unanimity. Reform Article 7 TEU procedure (rule of law mechanism)
- The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) has to be reformed to grant Parliament full co-decision powers on the expenditure side, including the adoption of the Multiannual Financial Framework and to move beyond the historical limit of 1% of the EU’s GDP and introduce new own resources to finance competitiveness, the green transition, and common defence.
- But how to Implement Institutional Reforms Before Enlargement? Some reforms can be achieved without waiting for a full Treaty revision. Differentiated integration must always remain within the Treaty framework, preserving institutional unity and avoiding parallel or alternative structures that would undermine the principles of EU law.
- In the field of defence, the current Treaties already allow for progress towards a European Common Defence: the Parliament therefore calls on the Commission and willing Member States to activate PESCO provisions without delay to advance towards a permanent European Defence System if there is no unanimity in the European Council.
“The Gozi Report confirms that the Treaties already provide the legalto establish a Common Defence. As highlighted in the resolution, a qualified majority decision under Article 42(6) TEU and Protocol No.10 could enable the creation of a European Defence System among willing Member States—just as the Economic and Monetary Union began with a smaller group.” underlined Domènec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP and President of the Union of European Federalists “This approach is fully in line with the political proposals advanced by the Union of European Federalists and the Action Committee for the United States of Europe since February 2025: to make Europe capable of defending itself, acting as one, and building a true European sovereignty.”
The UEF and the Spinelli Group call on the European Council, the Commission, and all pro-European forces to translate the European Parliament’s proposals into a roadmap for the establishment of a federal and democratic Union—strong enough to enlarge and to lead.