European Federation Now!

Over 50 years have passed since the Schuman Declaration launched the first European Community as “the first assize of a European Federation”. But today Europe is still weak and divided. It continues to be ruled by people elected to run their national governments according to their national interests and not by people elected to run Europe according to the European interest. European democracy and European citizenship remain only slogans as the European citizens still don’t have the right to directly decide, with their vote, the government and the policies of Europe. Europe's independence and sovereignty on the global stage are still only distant aspirations. The global challenges of the new millennium are far from being met. Where is Europe heading? What do we, as Europeans, want Europe to become? Together and strong in the European Federation or divided and weak in the era of globalisation? These are the choices Europe is facing today, the stakes in the debate on the future of Europe launched in Nice.

The Enlargement of the European Union to new countries should become the joint venture of West and East in a solid and democratic political community, not only the extension of a market with a single currency. Globalisation should become a source of prosperity and not of impoverishment for all Europeans. The European model should be preserved and enriched. Europe should become a united and independent actor in global politics, able to promote a secure world order based on the values of freedom and democracy, solidarity and common prosperity, rule of law and human rights, and protection of the environment. To make all this possible, Europe needs ambition and courage. Europe needs an act of will. It's time for the European Federation.

We therefore say:

YES TO THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION – The time for small gradual steps, which leave Europe divided, is over. Any simple "reform" or "improvement" of the European Union would be inadequate. Also a "federation of nation states" would not be enough, if in reality the power of last instance were left in the hands of national governments, each maintaining a veto right. It is time for a true European Federation, based on freedom and democracy, openness and transparency, solidarity and subsidiarity. There should be a democratic supranational European Government. This should be responsible to a legislative branch, with the representatives of the European citizens in one chamber and the representatives of the states, and where necessary of the legislative regions, in a second chamber. Both should act by majority in all matters. Such a federation would be exactly the opposite of a super-state and would ensure unity in diversity.

YES TO A EUROPEAN CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION – The era of treaties between European states, made in diplomatic conferences behind closed doors, should end. Europe needs the support of the European citizens. It is high time for a true European Constitutional Convention. Such a Constitutional Convention should gather the representatives of the citizens from the European and national parliaments, as well as those of the national governments. It should also involve future members of the European Union. Organisations of civil society should be involved in a public debate around its work. Such a Constitutional Convention should have decision-making powers and not just propose recommendations to a new diplomatic intergovernmental conference. It should be open and work and make decisions by majority. It should be given the broad mandate to draft a genuine Constitution to establish a European Federation, to be proposed directly to the member states and candidate countries for adoption.

YES TO THE EUROPEAN FEDERAL CONSTITUTION - The European Constitution should bring about change, not just be the rewriting of the treaties into a simpler document. The European Constitution should set out the rights and values of all European citizens, so defining our common identity. The European Constitution should define the powers and limits on the institutions of the Federation. The European Constitution should give to the federation competence not only for the single market and the monetary union, but also for employment and social affairs, foreign, security and defence policy, immigration, environment and the fight against international crime and terrorism.

We young Europeans do not have unlimited time to become united. Nationalism, xenophobia, and fragmentation are resurgent within many of our countries. Citizens are increasingly detached and alienated from the Union that they don not understand and perceive as distant and bureaucratic. Globalisation needs a European answer. Our national sovereignties and democracies are being progressively hollowed. It is time for vision, courage and responsibility. It is time for an act of re-foundation.

The Six Founding Countries started the European project as the first step of a long march towards a European Federation. Today the time has arrived to complete that project. We call upon all European political leaders to break free from the paralysing form of the Union of today and take the initiative to define and promote a project to establish the European Federation.