By Nikiforos Steiakakis
From April 9–12, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the 10th Delphi Economic Forum. Set against the timeless and symbolic backdrop of Delphi, this year’s forum convened over 800 speakers from 70 countries—including current and former ministers, prime ministers, EU and US officials, economists, corporate leaders, think tanks, and leading intellectuals. The central theme, “Realignments,” resonated deeply with the current moment in global and European affairs.
I’d like to share a few key insights and reflections drawn from my notes—unordered but urgent.
Toward a Federal European Union
Across sessions and conversations, one message came through with remarkable clarity: the need for a federal European Union is no longer just aspirational—it is the way forward. Fragmentation in markets, regulation, and governance structures is holding Europe back. The call to action is to complete the single market on every level—economic, digital, defense, education, and innovation.
The Letta and Draghi reports were recurring reference points in these discussions, underlining that a new phase of integration must not only be designed but actively pursued. Yet for this to happen, European citizens need to be brought on board. Europe still lacks a compelling, shared narrative—a “why” comparable to the American story of unity and common defense.
One powerful idea raised was the need to replicate the CERN model—cross-border, European-led scientific collaboration—in key strategic sectors like Artificial Intelligence and defense. Europe has no shortage of innovation, but it continues to struggle with scale and cohesion.
Crisis as Catalyst: Trump, Ukraine, and Strategic Autonomy
Several speakers framed Donald Trump’s disruptive politics not as a threat alone, but as an unintended opportunity for Europe. As one put it, “Trump gave us a gift.” The EU often only moves decisively when facing crisis—and this moment may finally force it to assert strategic autonomy.
Three foundational errors were repeatedly cited:
- Energy outsourced to Russia
- Defense outsourced to the US
- Growth outsourced to China
The war in Ukraine served as a focal point. Speakers insisted:
“If we are not at the table—we are on the menu.” The conflict is not just about Ukraine; it’s about who shapes the future of European security and whether Europe continues to be treated as a peripheral sphere of influence.
There was a strong call for Europe to take ownership of its future. The US and Russia must not be allowed to define peace in Europe without Europe. What’s needed is a declaration of intent for a new European Union, signed by a coalition of the willing, that makes outdated structures obsolete.
The Trump Phenomenon: Disruption Without Direction
Discussions around Trump often veered into deeper reflections on political disruption and systemic change. He was compared to Mao—launching a revolution against the elites, though unable to control it. Others drew parallels with Gorbachev—very different personalities, yet similarly responsible for opening a system that ultimately collapsed, not out of intention, but structural inevitability.
The takeaway: don’t ask what Trump wants—he may not know. What matters is the upheaval he has triggered. Revolutions are rarely orchestrated. They may start with a person, but they end where larger forces—not individuals—carry them.
The UK’s Gradual Return?
In a thought-provoking exchange between Guy Verhofstadt (former Belgian Prime Minister) and Hugo Dixon of Reuters, the future of the UK-EU relationship was addressed with realism and optimism. Verhofstadt predicted that Britain will eventually rejoin the European fold, albeit under a new framing.
The roadmap might begin with steps like:
- British students rejoining Erasmus (under a different name)
- Re-entering the customs union
- Gradual reintegration into the single market
It won’t be called “rejoining the EU”—but in substance, the trajectory seems clear.
A Moment of Perspective
To close on a lighter note, Martin Wolf of the Financial Times was asked to end his analysis on a positive thought. His response, laced with dry wit:
“When I think of all the men in history who tried to concentrate power—Julius Caesar, Napoleon—I take comfort in knowing that, in our time, we got… Donald!”
Closing Thoughts
I remain a silent observer in the important work our broader team at Together for Europe is doing. While I may not have the capacity to engage more actively at the moment, I am deeply proud to be part of it.
Our work matters now more than ever—for our place, and for the Europe we still believe in