Volt’s Call for European Independence: Time to Build the United States of Europe
Europe is a beautiful place. A place worth defending, but a place that can still become so much better. We have 500 million citizens living in diverse societies, independent courts and fair elections, a large and advanced social-market economy, and among the highest standards of living on the globe.
The EU was founded as a peace project, an answer to "never again", and an alternative to the empires of the past. It still is a success today. Is there a country that wants to join China, the USA or Russia voluntarily? No. But the EU does have that magnetic power, and many countries line up to join the EU.
Still, Europe is not reaching its full potential and is under threat. Russia continues its war, destroying Ukraine. The US pursues imperialistic ambitions. Europe will become a vassal if we don't change. It is not enough for Europe to become resilient to survive. We must become independent to thrive.
The old order is dead. Europe cannot continue to play by outdated rules. We can build a new order with allies, one where rules and values count.
Tomorrow, European leaders will meet to decide on Europe’s future. They believe that a little bit more cooperation is sufficient to survive. They are wrong. Europe must change – not a little, but a lot.
What we need is real independence. Democratic, military, economic, social, and material independence. Through different speeds or all at once. Volt has a plan.
We can build a better Europe together. One that acts faster, with more power, and is accountable to you, the people. A Europe that speaks with one voice and stands up for democracy and international law. A United States of Europe!
What would this actually look like? Here are the major changes we want.
Democratic independence
Power to the European people. We want all of us to have the power to elect a European government through real European elections, with European candidates and European parties!
End the vetocracy. We need to ditch the veto, the ability for a country to stop decisions. Dictators like Orbán cannot have a vote. Europe should make all decisions by majority.
Speak with one voice. We need a real European foreign minister to stand strong against dictators, defend international law without hypocrisy, stop wars, and prevent new ones.
Military independence
Fund freedom. We can save billions in spending through Eurobonds, joint procurement, breakthrough tech investment, a European DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), and a fully integrated defence industry.
Victory for Ukraine. We make sure Ukraine wins by using the frozen Russian assets, setting up a no-fly zone, accelerating membership, and defending any ceasefire with European forces.
A European army to keep the peace. We build a European command structure, EU-owned strategic enablers such as ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), and a force of at least 250,000 soldiers ready to defend Europe.
Economic independence
Finance our future. We issue Eurobonds to invest in our climate neutral digital economy, complete the capital market and banking union, and make the Euro a global currency.
Thriving innovation. We set a European preference, remove all barriers in the single market, attract talent, establish ''EU Inc.'' and focus industrial policy on new European champions.
Embrace our friends. We accept many new EU members, forge equitable trade and development deals, and increase collaboration with democratic friends like the UK and Canada.
Digital independence
Protect the truth. We force social media to respect our values and fight foreign interference, build an EU public broadcaster, keep journalists safe, and enable social media alternatives.
A European ''tech stack''. We create a home-grown digital infrastructure as alternatives to the US, from A to Z: European AI, data, software, devices, cloud services, network and chips.
All government services use European tech. We make all government services on all levels use European software and have all data stored on European cloud services by 2030.
Social independence
A life you can afford. We build affordable homes through smart social housing and renovation projects. We invest in clean tech and a European grid to lower energy prices.
Culture at home. We sponsor film, music, etc. to stop seeing Europe through American glasses. Culture must not be a privilege but a force of solidarity, by investing in local artists.
Unlock human potential. We turn Erasmus into a universal European experience, invest in new skills and jobs, and give young people start-up capital for their lives and businesses.
Material independence
Our own energy. We invest in clean energy like wind, solar and nuclear and batteries to rid ourselves of foreign energy dependency, like LNG from the US, gas and oil from Russia.
Reclaim industrial leadership. We restore Europe as a manufacturing powerhouse by investing in new economic sectors like deep- and cleantech, and continental high-speed rail.
Resource our future. We invest in responsible mining, make equitable resource deals with partners, and accelerate recycling and circularity to ensure access to critical raw materials.
Do you agree? Well, your national leaders can make it happen tomorrow, by establishing a United States of Europe that can act to keep you safe and bring a better future closer to now!
So, what are you waiting for? Sign our petition!