A new cycle of pro-European mobilization promoted by Italian liberal-democratic movements starts from Verona – a symbolic crossroads of the European north-south and east-west corridors. Saturday, April 5, 2025, Verona: a packed Teatro della Santissima Trinità, with over 150 participants, hosted the event “The Strength of the United States of Europe”, organized with the support of the European Democratic Party. The initiative focused on the urgent need for a common European defense, the elimination of the right of veto and a new federal architecture for a stronger, more democratic and more authoritative Union on the international stage.
Sandro Gozi, Secretary General of the European Democratic Party, an Italian MEP elected in France, reiterated the central role of the federalist project: “Meloni insults Altiero Spinelli and the Ventotene Manifesto to cover up the divisions in her government. But the only way to strengthen Europe is to increase its power, effectiveness and democracy”. A strong message, consistent with the vision promoted by the EDP in recent years: to make the European Union not just a market, but a true political community capable of acting as a sovereign entity.
Alongside Gozi, historic and authoritative voices of Italian Europeanism such as Emma Bonino and Benedetto Della Vedova, who emphasized that “the strength of the United States of Europe is the only credible response to global instability and threats to security”. Nathalie Tocci pointed out that 74% of European citizens consider the Union important: “It is the Europeans themselves who want to defend Europe”. While Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, emphasized the responsibility of moderate popular forces in keeping the Commission firmly anchored in the Europeanist camp.
The EDP’s path continues in Italy too, with the focus on building a broad, pro-European and federalist front, capable of facing the next electoral and political challenges. Verona is just the beginning.
