Draghi, intergovermentalism and a Federal europe

A few days ago, Mario Draghi, former Prime Minister of Italy and head of the European Central Bank, issued a report on European competitiveness, commissioned by the European Commission. In this report he made clear that the European economy is on a declining path, not only lagging behind, but dependent on its main competitors. He was raising the alarm for the coming decline of Europe as a whole. Regardless of what one thinks of his proposals to fix this, these were shot down by the German government in minutes, without a counter-proposal, while not commenting on the shortcomings of the current EU predicament. This is a glitch and it is a symptom of the problematic governing structure of the Union…
The European Union (EU) has a complex system that’s often confusing, making many people feel disconnected or distrustful. Currently, the EU uses intergovernmentalism, where member states cooperate but often focus on their own interests. This can make it slow and unclear in dealing with big issues like climate change or -as in the case above- economic problems.
To address this, “Together for Europe” suggests that there’s a simpler, more accountable system called a Federal Union. In this model, power would be clearly divided between the EU and its member states, as well as between different EU institutions like the Parliament and Commission. This setup, similar to how a federal system works in some countries, would make roles clearer and decision-making more transparent.
A Federal Union would also aim to increase democracy within the EU, with decisions being made in ways that feel more connected to citizens, like through direct elections. This would help bridge the gap between EU institutions and the people they represent, making the EU more relatable and easier for everyone to understand and trust.

Draghi, intergovermentalism and a Federal europe was last modified: September 17th, 2024 by Together For Europe