On 20 March, in collaboration with the Institute of Self-Government Studies, the dialogue ‘European Federalism, a political project for peace’ was held at the Robert Palace. The event was attended by historian Gerard Casas, law professor Mariola Urrea, Klaus-Jürgen Nagel, Xavier Arbós and the director of the Foundation, Dolors Camats, who contributed their expertise to analyse the challenges and opportunities of European federalism in the current context.
The session served to link the contemporary debate on the European Union with the tradition of federalist thought, exploring how this model can contribute to peace and stability at a time of global uncertainty. The speakers addressed the accelerated changes that the EU is undergoing, conditioned by factors such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the distancing of the United States, the rise of authoritarian movements and the debate on the strengthening of security and defence on a continental scale.
Gerard Casas stressed the importance of the historical evolution of transnational federalism and explained how European institutions have been shaping a complex political entity. In this sense, he described the current moment as a ‘De Gaulle moment’, referring to the dilemmas facing Europe in relation to its strategic autonomy.
For her part, Mariola Urrea analysed the legal and institutional dimension of the European integration model, emphasising the need for new channels to strengthen the influence of the regions in EU decision-making. Urrea was clear in her position: ‘If we are to achieve peace and continue to enjoy the European way of life, we have to reinforce our capacity for deterrence: strengthen our defence and security capabilities and have the will, given that in this multipolar world, Europe is seen as unwilling to make use of its capabilities’. Furthermore, he stressed that ‘the solution is European and our well-being lies in recognising the interdependence of all’.
The debate revolved around key questions: Is security the main axis on which the future of the EU must be built? What scope is there for strengthening other areas such as taxation or the social pillar? Is it time to give a new federalist impulse by eliminating the right of veto? The speakers agreed that the EU has been able to move forward in times of crisis, but warned of the risks of democratic regression and fragmentation if a more robust European governance is not consolidated.
