Particular significance attaches to the fact that this call was made by Mario Draghi, whose ideas on boosting the EU’s competitiveness have largely shaped the agenda of the current European Commission.
In the light of strained relations between the EU and the United States, the former President of the ECB and former Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, has called for the creation of the United States of Europe.
This call merits particular attention, especially considering that it comes from one of the most influential thinkers in Europe at present, whose ideas on enhancing the EU’s competitiveness have significantly influenced the agenda of the current European Commission.
What follows is a closer look at his latest ideas, which move toward the EU’s federalisation.
An EU confederation stuck between federations
Like most influential thinkers in Europe, Mario Draghi also points to the need for Member States to demonstrate a higher level of mutual solidarity and readiness to cooperate if the European Union is to keep pace with contemporary challenges. However, unlike many others, he warns that merely grouping small countries does not automatically create a powerful bloc.
As he emphasises, this reflects the "logic of a confederation", that is, an approach under which Europe continues to function in such a way that each Member State retains its right of veto in key areas. In other words, as the EU finds itself between the American and Russian federations, it can hardly compete with them as a confederation. China, where a single party decides on all matters, is a story in its own right.
In this context, Europe risks remaining a secondary player on the global stage in the future. Draghi therefore stresses that if the EU is to become a true power, it must move from being a confederation of states to becoming a federation.
Draghi’s aspiration for a more federal EU is developing within a global context in which the EU’s political fragmentation makes the Union vulnerable to economic and security threats and to external pressure from major powers. A comparative overview of the areas in which the EU has been most successful points to the model the Union should continue to apply to achieve its objectives.
According to Draghi, where the EU has already chosen the federal path, in monetary policy, competition, trade and the single market, it has achieved tangible results and has been recognised as a global trendsetter. Where it has not moved towards federalisation, in defence, industrial policy and foreign affairs, the Union has been treated as a "loose grouping of medium-sized states", one that can be divided and dealt with accordingly.
From this premise, he draws a striking conclusion, or warning: where trade and security intersect, what constitutes the EU’s strength will not be sufficient to shield it from its weaknesses.
Towards pragmatic federalism
In addition to his ability to recognise the right moment, Draghi is undoubtedly skilful with words. As he consistently coins striking phrases and terms, this time he has brought to the fore what he calls "pragmatic federalism".
The emphasis here is on pragmatic rather than classical federalism for two reasons. First, classical federalism, such as the American and Russian models, provokes unease among EU citizens, given that the EU was created under different circumstances and for a different purpose, within a context of diverse cultures and languages. Secondly, for the Union to federalise in the classical sense, it would have to secure the consent of all Member States to amend the Treaties.
In essence, the more fundamental and substantive the proposed change, the more energy is required to achieve consensus. Classical federalisation, therefore, remains more of a utopian concept.
Instead, Draghi’s insistence on pragmatism implies a narrower approach. In his view, those Member States that are prepared to take steps forward in areas where there is a common interest should do so. This entails a voluntaristic approach to deeper integration, consistent with debates on a "multi-speed" Europe.
Although initially only a limited number of states might opt for federalist steps, the assumption is that, as the model delivers results, other Member States would gradually decide, colloquially speaking, to "change gear".
As an illustration, Draghi refers to the process of introducing the euro. In our region, Croatia and Bulgaria have recently joined the euro area, while Romania is a possible next candidate. If this approach were applied to other fields as well, the message conveyed is that, through shared commitment, a deeper solidarity would be built than any agreement alone could foresee.
Taking everything into account, Draghi’s speech can be interpreted as an attempt to encourage Member States to step outside their comfort zones.
At the same time, by leaving room for further differentiation, that is, for deepening partnerships where there is scope for such partnerships, it also sends a message to those who still adopt a sceptical stance towards further Europeanisation: the longer they wait, the greater the likelihood that they will become increasingly isolated, and in an ever more complex world, isolation is a recipe for disaster.
(EUpravo zato.rs)