The Brexit has entrusted the major countries of the European Union (Germany, France, and Italy) with increased responsibilities: they must revive the values that were the foundation of the union’s creation. The upcoming summit in Bratislava is expected to chart the course for an inevitable revitalization in response to the forces of retreat.
The heads of state and government of these three countries met this Monday on the island of Ventotene, a significant site for the European spirit.
On this occasion, the European Federalist Movement, co-founded by Altiero Spinelli, one of the leaders of the European project who is buried there, published a document to give new momentum to the unified action of the 27 member countries.
The objective is to push back against the prospect of the suicidal isolationism of national retreat and to revive economic prosperity, manage finances, and ambitiously shape the future.
We summarize the most notable proposals:
Security: The external borders of Schengen must be definitively and completely controlled to ensure free circulation within the secured area and thus avoid the national retreat of populists. It is at this cost that the policy of welcoming unfortunate refugees and economic immigration will become acceptable. Project of a prosecutor with delegated competencies to fight against terrorism and international crime.
Economy and Social: Implementation of a “fiscal snake” (similar to the “monetary snake” from 45 years ago) with the aim of reducing intra-European fiscal disparities over 10/15 years. Protection of salary capital by dedicating a percentage of GDP to unemployment coverage, health, and pensions. A project of “minimum citizenship income” to counter the rise of poverty.
