The period from late April to early May 2022 is viewed as a turning point in the evolution of European construction, marking a formal acceleration of momentum behind a shared project that emerged first through the pandemic and then through the forces of globalisation. It is set against the backdrop of escalating tensions following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, a development that underscored the critical need for collective European responses and reinforced the urgency of a united approach to external challenges.
At the end of April, the Conference on the Future of Europe concluded. This initiative brought together randomly selected citizen juries, non-governmental organizations, and representatives from all institutions and national parliaments who had collaborated over a year to explore how Europe can grow stronger. The central takeaway from this ambitious experiment in participatory democracy is a clear call for more Europe—more capacity, more coordination, and more influence on the global stage. It is a recognition that the Union must act decisively to meet shared objectives and protect common interests through enhanced solidarity and action.
The idea of more Europe translates into a stronger ability for the Union to respond to large-scale, transnational challenges. Climate change, energy security, migration, digital transformation, health crises, and the ongoing pressures of conflict demand a coordinated, well-funded strategy. In this view, genuine European sovereignty would include securing essential supplies such as energy, food, medicine, and key technologies. The experience of simultaneous public health strains and military conflict highlights vulnerabilities in the availability of basic goods—from medicines to electricity and animal feed. The path forward envisions an energy, industrial, and agricultural reboot integrated with a robust social and ecological framework that upholds social rights and climate neutrality alongside market freedoms. A more sovereign Europe in foreign and defence policy is seen as essential to reflect shared values, uphold international law, and navigate power dynamics in a world where force can challenge diplomacy. Ukraine remains a focal point of this discussion, illustrating how collective European action can shape regional stability and compliance with universal norms.
A better Europe is also envisioned as more transparent, efficient, and democratic. The conduct of Council deliberations—where twenty-seven governments are involved—should no longer be shrouded in secrecy or revealed only through leaks. More importantly, the prevailing culture of unanimity must be revisited, as it can block critical decisions during crises. This includes measures such as the proposed sixth sanctions package and, more broadly, the need for a clear, accountable decision-making process. The Union’s role as a spender and investor was reinforced by large-scale programs and emergency instruments, including the Recovery Plan, support schemes for workers, and military aid for Ukraine. As inflation and the risk of recession loom, democratic legitimacy needs strengthening, particularly through a more empowered European Parliament so that major policies are decided with broader, direct representation. The vision further calls for new, more integrated arrangements in migration, defence, energy, and social policy, built on genuine political and constitutional unity, while also expanding participatory mechanisms that involve citizens directly in decision-making processes, much like those demonstrated by the Conference itself.
In summary, the Conference advocates a broad cultural and constitutional shift toward a more federal Europe, signaling the possible need for new treaty arrangements. While most parties support this trajectory, a few far-right formations oppose it. In response, the European Parliament endorsed a resolution on 4 May that favored implementing the Conference’s conclusions and urged the convening of a Constitutional Convention to translate them into practice. The Council of Europe was anticipated to consider the proposal during the final weeks of the French presidency, aligning with key speeches by leaders across Strasbourg on 9 May. The period thus became not only a moment of reflection but also a practical push toward deeper institutional reforms.
Concurrent developments added to the momentum. The European Parliament’s plenary session on 3 May approved a proposal for a new European electoral framework. The idea of a pan-European constituency alongside national elections emerged, proposing a transnational debate during the election cycle and presenting candidates for the Commission presidency in all Member States. The prospect of European elections and the establishment of European political parties with their logos on the ballot was another central point supported by the Conference’s citizen panel. If the Council accepts Parliament’s motion, this would represent a major advance toward a truly European democratic framework that complements national systems and strengthens collective representation across the Union.