Brussels – Opening a major season of change on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the historic turning point that laid the foundations of the European Union. In the spirit of the Treaties of Rome, the Democratic Party’s delegation to the European Parliament has presented the manifesto “Towards the United States of Europe. Now,” which calls for a revival of the European federalist project and warns of “the risks of a return to nationalism and the EU’s decision-making weakness.” With this move, the PD is also trying to shake up the Socialist group—of which it is the largest delegation—currently in an alliance with the European People’s Party, which, however, is increasingly moving to the right of the hemicycle.
The Democratic Party delegation starts from an unflinching assessment: “The level of political, economic, and industrial integration achieved today is no longer enough.” Because it is no longer capable of “protecting our social achievements, ensuring our security, and supporting effective diplomatic action.” A change of course is needed across the board: from technological challenges, where Europe “no longer produces innovation” but merely “regulates it,” leaving wealth and jobs to other global players. To the issues closest to the socialist family—of which the PD is a member—such as social cohesion and the fight against inequality, both threatened by the European budget for 2028–2034 proposed by Ursula von der Leyen, which “moves in the opposite direction, weakens territorial cohesion, cuts resources, and reduces the scope for policies on the ground.”
The EU’s enlargement also needs to be reconsidered: by 2030, the Member States could even rise to 30, and without “decisions that ensure decision-making capacity and unity of purpose,” the PD warns of the risk of “slipping backwards, to a Europe blocked by national governments, to a purely intergovernmental logic.”
The federalist manifesto drafted by the PD identifies four key points to give new momentum to the European project: a stronger EU budget, a genuine foreign policy, the abolition of the veto, and greater use of enhanced cooperation. In particular, when it comes to the budget, “courage” is needed, “resorting to common debt and new own resources to be directed toward innovation, the green transition, and ensuring social cohesion.” A “true common European defence among Member States” must be promoted, the reform of the treaties must be accelerated to “abolish unanimity in the EU’s decision-making system,” and “projects and common policies with the Member States willing to move forward must be launched immediately, without waiting for everyone’s agreement.”
The signature drive for the manifesto will begin next week, during the Strasbourg plenary session from 9 to 12 February. Nicola Zingaretti, head of the Democratic Party delegation, stressed: “It is not Europe in general that is slowing down; it is the sovereigntist right-wing forces now in government in many countries. We will not stand still, proudly contemplating our past—we will open a season of change.” Comments from members of the European Parliament delegation are multiplying: Camilla Laureti points out that “in light of what we are experiencing—the growing push of nationalisms and the aggressive American policy imposed by Trump—only a stronger, more federal Europe can offer a concrete hope.” For Dario Nardella, “the alibis are over: public opinion is favourable, Trump’s threats, the need to reach Peace in Ukraine—everything tells us that this is the moment to take the decisive step.”
Stefano Bonaccini, president of the party, said: “We are at a crossroads: either we build a European Union capable of being a major political player, able to compete with the United States and China, or we accept being their vassals.” Brando Benifei emphasised that the path outlined in the manifesto follows what “Mario Draghi recently said: Europe must move from a confederation of states to a federation.”
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
