This blog is born out of the unbearable realization of the serious risk facing European states and their citizens.
For years, we have witnessed the erosion of our continent’s economic, cultural, and political influence, and of European identity itself. We convinced ourselves that our institutional structures – both at the EU and national levels – would be enough to halt Europe’s drift in an increasingly hostile world, moving away from the core values that once shaped the international community: respect for international law, tolerance, the culture of compromise, and free trade.
That world, which we believed to be immutable and permanent, tailored to our rules, is dead and buried. The rules of the game have changed: competition, the use of force and blackmail, and the law of the strongest now prevail. Like it or not, this is the world we live in and are forced to operate within.
The total passivity of European leadership in the face of the political disaster we are hurtling toward is chilling and depressing, offering only the prospect of darker days ahead. Days when European states will be nothing more than a market to be exploited and carved up by American and Chinese mega-corporations, days when Russia, led by a cold-blooded and bloodthirsty dictator, will take Eastern Europe piece by piece.
The response to this prospect has been endless summits that conclude with grand, hollow declarations – but no action, no decisive gestures, no radical questioning of our trajectory. Despair looms; Europeans feel defeated and hopeless.
But why have we reached this point? Why can’t we reverse this trend? Years of observing EU and European state politics have taught me that there is one central reason for our decline: the inability to be radical, to have a political project that goes beyond mere self-preservation.
Yet, for most of our history, we knew how to be radical: fighting for our economic interests, exploring the world, innovating in every field and making the biggest social achievements for our people. This was the reality of our continent, and this is who we Europeans are: for centuries, we have shaped world history, fighting, falling into ruin, and reasserting our interests and power again and again. There is no shame in saying it and being proud of our great history – without seeking to relive it.
But our history has also brought us to where we are today: two world wars – or two European civil wars – devastated our countries and societies, shattered our economies, and placed us under the protective wing of the United States for the past 80 years.
The crimes of totalitarianism, colonialism and our historical self-conscience have fostered, in many countries, an inherent sense of guilt and a rejection of any instrument of influence beyond the economic sphere. Take Germany, for instance, which over the past 80 years practiced Vergangenheitsbewältigung (coming to terms with the past), abdicating its role as Europe’s leading nation to pursue a policy focused solely on economic development, almost entirely ignoring the security and political challenges the entire continent should have addressed.
This phenomenon of abdication of influence and rejection of boldness is not uniquely German:a profound lack of confidence in what Europeans are still capable of building today looms over Europe; the whole EU project and our policies have been founded on the preservation of economic power, not on the shaping of a project, of a role of Europe in the world. We stagnated on a defence of the status quo, while others were re-shaping the world.
After atoning for our faults for the past 80 years, the moment has come to transcend our past and begin forging our future. We must build upon the best aspects of our history to assert a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. A German who highlights the great political, scientific, and societal achievements of their country is not a fascist; a Pole who takes pride in their nation’s resilience, cultural heritage, and contributions to European history – from the Solidarity movement to scientific and artistic achievements – is not a nationalist extremist; a French person who acknowledges their nation’s history of greatness and inclusiveness is not an imperialist; an Italian who takes pride in the ingenuity of their people is not a racist. These are Europeans aware of their history and identity, unafraid to engage in the struggle in the world. They recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their countries and the continent they belong to, and they are ready to fight to defend the interests and values of their community.
This quest for a renewed European spirit and positivity is founded on two core convictions: first, that a genuine European identity already exists. It is shaped by centuries of diverse histories and cultures, yet united by shared values: a deep commitment to freedom, democracy, self-determination, entrepreneurship, and strong ties to our communities. This is Europe and these are the Europeans.
Second, that no single European state can navigate the current challenges alone. Our unity, now under attack from all sides – as the recent US National Security strategy demonstrates – is the only viable path to preserving our influence, identity, and achievements, and to avoid succumbing to the visions dictated by Washington, Moscow, or Beijing.
Those who oppose European unity are the very actors who stand to benefit most from dividing us – because a fragmented Europe is far easier to pressure, manipulate, and control.
No EU reform or Regulation alone will be enough to contrast this. Real change cannot come from institutions alone. It must come from Europeans themselves who must demand a fundamental shift in our political balance of power toward our shared, continental interest. The era of relying on watered-down compromise solutions – a hallmark of current EU methods – must end.
We must adapt our operational model and forge a new political consciousness to guide our actions: one that consistently and uncompromisingly prioritizes the collective interest of the European people over the specific, short-sighted demands of any individual member state.
We must create a space where all Europeans can regain their confidence and build change, promoting a bolder stance and defence of our interests. This isn’t about rejecting who we are – it’s about protecting our societies, based on our key values that we all share, independently from the political belonging: democracy, equity in our societies, institutional strength, the vital role of the welfare state, and an honest engagement with our complex history. It is about facing the world with confidence, honesty, and unity.
As the saying goes: United we stand, divided we fall, Einigkeit macht stark, L’unione fa la forza, W jedności siła, La unión hace la fuerza, Eendracht maakt macht, L’union fait la force.