Why the current system is undemocratic—and federalism is the solution

The strongest argument against European federalism is democratic: centralization distances citizens from power. But this fundamentally misunderstands the EU’s current structure—and the crisis Europe faces.

The EU Is Already Undemocratic

The EU today is already deeply undemocratic—not because it’s too centralized, but because power concentrates in the wrong institutions. The European Council (national leaders) holds decisive authority yet operates behind closed doors with minimal accountability. The Commission, unelected and technocratic, initiates legislation and increasingly governs by executive fiat. The Parliament, the only directly elected body, remains subordinate—unable to initiate laws or hold the Council accountable.

In February 2026, EU leaders gathered at a castle to make consequential strategic decisions. One question remained outside: what role should citizens play? As Alberto Alemanno argues, choices about defense, industry, and trade are made at breakneck speed with minimal debate. Public participation is assumed, not sought. Civil society is shut out. Citizens’ Initiatives go unfollowed. Elected representatives are sidelined while corporate lobbyists dominate. (EUobserver)

Commission President meets corporate lobby groups before elected representatives enter the room. In the Sustainability Omnibus, corporate lobbyists drafted replacement text. In the Digital Omnibus, officials held 150 meetings with tech companies versus 30 with civil society. National governments want to institutionalize this by bypassing public consultations.

This is Europe’s democratic winter—a retreat from participatory governance, treating democracy as luxury for calmer times.

The Paradox of Anti-Federalism

The paradox: opposing centralization while tolerating an intergovernmental oligarchy far less democratic than any federal system.

Decisions aren’t driven by Commission as European public interest guarantor, endorsed by elected Parliament. They’re imposed by national leaders in the Council—a body with no direct European mandate, operating opaquely, accountable to no European electorate.

A truly federal Europe—with directly elected executive, bicameral legislature with co-equal power, separation of powers, constitutional limits—would increase democratic accountability. Federal systems like Germany and Switzerland demonstrate that power-sharing enhances both effectiveness and legitimacy.

Three Options

Option 1: Status quo—unelected technocrats and closed councils make decisions while elected bodies remain weak.

Option 2: Renationalization—27 separate states, none with scale to regulate global platforms or sustain defense. Strategic irrelevance, not restored democracy.

Option 3: Democratic federalization—genuinely federal institutions with transparent decision-making, electoral accountability, parliamentary power, and constitutional subsidiarity.

What Federalism Actually Means

European federalism doesn't mean Brussels dictating everything. It means constitutional division: foreign policy, defense, trade, welfare, rights at federal level—while education, housing, cultural policy remain national/regional.

Germany, Switzerland, the U.S.—all federal, all maintaining distinct identities, languages, cultures. Federal systems protect subnational autonomy constitutionally. A bicameral legislature would ensure both interests are heard. Constitutional subsidiarity would prevent federal overreach.

Not radical centralization—institutional clarity. Making Europe more powerful and more democratic.