European Union: a future Federation?

European Federalism has been a movement that has existed ever since the inception of European and trans national institutes. The dream of a united European continent, where peace would overcome conflict, and where nation states would unite on common goals. While this seems like a perfect but unrealistic utopia, the foundations of this new “federal europe ” seem to have already been put in place? What is the history of the federalist movement in Europe? And what are the modern initiatives today trying to put in place?

Source: Politico

The prospects of a Federal Europe predates even the First World War. Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi was the first to propose a pan-European federation. Although his ideas were mostly based on uniting Europe within the confines of traditional christian values and ethnicity, it was nonetheless one of the proposals which would give inspiration to the wider european project we see today. He compiled these ideas into one book, Pan Europa, while not all his ideas would be taken into account, the idea of a united europe would interest many. Notably, after the Second World War. The Second World War was a test on Europe, an ideological war which would lead Europe into chaos. Ideologies, such as the dictatorship of the proletariat and the construction of ethnostates, were all detrimental to the continent as a whole. Social and ethnic divisions were often at the origins of this war, which led some to believe that the institution of a European Federation was essential to guarantee peace among the peoples of Europe. Organisation such as the European movement, which sought to encourage such union. Notably, one of their many accomplishments was the creation of the European Council, which today is now one of the main institutions of the European Union. They also heavily supported the Maastricht treaty, which would be responsible for establishing a single currency project(the Euro) and a shared European citizenship.

Source: Wikimedia

Today, it seems that the European federal movement has died down. However, this is far from the case, as new movements in Europe have started propping up. These movements gained popularity due to a rise in right wing, eurosceptic movements in the 2010s. These right wing, nationalistic movements wanted to put an end to the european project entirely, which they saw as corrupt and detrimental to their own national projects. All of this culminated in the election of said parties into varying branches of the government, such as in Italy and Germany, and even led to the exit of the UK from the European Union in 2016. In an attempt to guarantee the EU’s existence and expansion, many sought to found movements pushing for further integrationist policies within the EU. Organisations such as Volt Europa, who were founded after the British Exit from Europe. Volt has been gaining traction in many nations, such as Germany, were they have succeeded in many city and local elections. Cities such as Mainz and Bamberg, where they each have one seat in their legislatures. More importantly, they won one seat at the European Parliament for Germany, earning 0.7% of the total votes during 2019 European Election.

Source: Huff Post

In conclusion, European federalism has been a project sought by many within the continent as a solution to peace and prosperity. This led to the founding of multiple organisations, in particular the European Movement to aid in the development of a federation. These aforementioned organisations created or aided in the creation of important European institutions and treaties now essential to the Union. Despite a strong opposition, the so called “federalists” haven’t backed down, with the creation of new political entities such as Volt Europa who actively want to create a Federated Europe, popping up in the last few years to defend the cause.

Sources:

Bundeswahlleiter (Federal Returning Officer). "Results European Election 2019".

Theis, Marion (27 May 2019). "Volt-Spitzenkandidat Damian Böselager: Union und SPD müssen Klimapolitik ändern" (in German). SWR2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq0t16z1WV8&t=321s

"The establishment of the European Movement". Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l’Europe. Retrieved 15 November 2020