Carpe Diem Europe!

"Carpe Diem…Carpe Diem…" Professor Keating's whispered words while the students were perusing the old students’ portraits gave me goosebumps the first time I watched Dead Poets Society. It became my favorite film during my adolescence. For those who have not watched it, Dead Poets Society is a movie starred by Robin Williams, who performed John Keating, an English professor at a preparatory boarding school in Vermont. While trying not to spoil the film – and for the purpose of this month’s column – it’s necessary to explain that the film’s title references an unofficial and secret club created back in the day by Keating and restarted by his fellow students where art and poetry were freely performed.

Nine years before the film was released, Mr. Altiero Spinelli, former Commissioner and one of the founding fathers of the European Union, who had already outlined his federalist vision in the Ventotene Manifesto(1) in 1941 alongside Ernesto Rossi, created the Crocodile Club, “whose action had a great influence on the development of the European integration process”(2).

That 9th of July of 1980, Spinelli only gathered 8 members of the European Parliament (MEPs) who had accepted his appeal “the Community must reform or perish”(3) at the restaurant Au Crocodile in Strasbourg – which still exists and from where the name comes from.

By October of that year, 78 MEPs had joined, and in February 1981 Spinelli handed over a motion for a 'Crocodile Resolution' to Parliament President Simone Veil signed by 179 MEPs(4). His success was marked by the creation of an independent Committee on Institutional Affairs at the EU Parliament which is now the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO)(5), and the approval of the final version of the DTEU(6).

Altiero left this world in 1986, and the Crocodile Club evolved into the Federalist Group, composed in its beginning of 78 MEPs(7). In 2004, the intergroup reached the number of 138 MEPs(8). In 2010 the group was renamed again, as the Spinelli Group. The group aims to “find a federal majority among members of the European Parliament on important subjects” and reinvigorate the endeavour for federalisation of the European Union(9). Currently, Lukas Mandl, a MEP from the Austrian delegation of the EPP Group, serves as its President. However, its most influential member is Andrius Kubilius, current Commissioner for Defence Industry and Space, whose role is particularly crucial given the present circumstances due to the need for a coordinated European defence policy, but the question remains: is the EU ready to take its defence into its own hands?

EU Competence on Defence

The European Union's involvement in defence is a delicate balance between supranational cooperation and national sovereignty. While primary defence responsibility rests with individual member states, the EU has increasingly sought to coordinate and bolster European defence capabilities.

The foundation for this lies within the Treaty on European Union (TEU)( 10) specifically Article 42, which outlines the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). This framework enables the EU to conduct military and civilian missions, foster defence industry cooperation, and enhance military mobility. Crucially, Article 42(7) establishes a mutual defence clause, obligating member states to assist any member under armed attack.

However, it's vital to remember that the EU does not possess a standing army – with figures like Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez openly advocating for it(11). Instead, it facilitates cooperation through initiatives like PESCO(12) and the European Defence Fund, aiming to strengthen national capabilities and promote a unified European defence posture. The EU also has the solidarity clause located in Article 222 of the TFEU(13).

This complex structure reflects the EU's evolving role in security, striving for greater unity while respecting the diverse defence policies of its members.

Joint White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030

On 19 March, the European Commission unveiled the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 and the ReArm Europe Plan, an ambitious defence package providing financial levers to EU Member States to drive an investment surge in defence capabilities. “The era of the peace dividend is long gone”(14) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated.

This White Paper outlines a comprehensive strategy for the EU members to strengthen European defence capabilities, focusing on seven key domains: air and missile defence, artillery systems, ammunition and missiles, drones and anti-drone systems, military mobility, AI, quantum, cyber and electronic warfare, and strategic enablers, including critical infrastructure protection.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

To achieve these goals, the paper proposes several important new funding mechanisms. These include measures to optimize national public funding and the establishment of a dedicated Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument.

In light of the current exceptional circumstances, the Commission plans to raise up to €150 billion in capital markets(15) utilizing its established unified funding approach. This will help EU Member States rapidly and significantly increase investments in Europe's defence capabilities.

Additionally, the acceleration of the savings and investments Union is recommended, all with the aim of ensuring a strong and well-funded European defence posture.

The goal is clear: we have to be prepared for the worst. The European project, which was once founded as a peace project in the continent (among other reasons), is preparing to defend peace in Europe. The EU is preparing for war.

This crucial understanding of the current threat is where we must elevate our perspective. Allowing populist narratives to cloud our judgment would demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of the situation. Neither I nor the EU desires a war, as former High Representative Josep Borrell recently stated in a radio interview, “I dislike war as much as the next person, but it turns out Putin does like it”(16). This simple truth escapes populists, whether through willful blindness or, more disturbingly, through alignment with Kremlin interests. Europe faces a real danger. Ukraine’s war has unequivocally shown us that Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted, and he will not stop.

Furthermore, the shift of US security interests away from Europe – which started under US former President Barack Obama(17) – and President Donald Trump’s reshaping of the United States’ global role, has forced Europe to “grow up” when it comes to its own security and defence.

Trump’s rhetoric — from his unrealistic promises to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours (18), to the public bullying of President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office alongside Vice President Vance (19)— has further eroded trust and underscored a growing divergence of interests. The infamous accusation that Zelenskyy was to blame for the “millions of dead people” (20) in the conflict only deepened that rift.

Moreover, the leaked exchange between Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in which Vance expressed his disdain for “bailing out Europe again” in reference to a US-led military operation to protect shipping (primarily benefiting European trade), and Hegseth replied, “I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It's PATHETIC”(21), solidified the image of a US partner whose commitment to European security and shared values is increasingly conditional and erratic. These developments have only strengthened the EU’s imperative to accelerate its own defence capabilities and strategic autonomy.

What Do EU Citizens Want?

Last 25th of March European Parliament’s Winter 2025 Eurobarometer was released, revealing a surge in positive sentiment towards the European Union, marked by record-breaking historical approval.

An unprecedented 74% of citizens now believe their country benefits from EU membership, the highest figure since 1983(22). This growing appreciation is coupled with a strong desire for greater unity, with 89% recognizing its crucial role in addressing global challenges, a consensus shared by at least 75% of citizens across all member states(23).

Furthermore, there's a clear call for a more powerful European Parliament, as 62% of citizens express a desire for it to assume a more prominent role, a figure that has climbed significantly in the past year, reaching its highest point since 2020(4).

Photo by Mario Gogh on Unsplash

A significant shift in public perception has emerged, with defence and security now identified as the EU's top priority for global influence, cited by 36% of citizens(25). This reflects a notable change in how Europeans perceive the benefits of EU membership. Protecting peace and strengthening security has surged to the forefront, now the primary perceived advantage at 35%, surpassing improved cooperation between member states, which has slipped to second place at 34%(26).

In the quiet corners of European history, figures like Altiero Spinelli echo John Keating's whispered call to 'Carpe Diem.' Spinelli, like Keating, understood the urgency of action, the need to seize the moment before opportunity slipped away. Just as Keating inspired his students to form their own 'Dead Poets Society,' Spinelli ignited the 'Crocodile Club,' pushing for a more united and stronger Europe.

Today, as the continent faces renewed threats, we must ask ourselves: are we merely perusing old portraits, or are we ready to write our own poetry?

The White Paper's ambitions, the citizen's’ calls for greater unity and security, all point towards a singular truth: to truly safeguard peace and security. The EU must take a big step towards a truly united Union, to forge a defence capable of meeting the challenges of our time. Let us not allow Spinelli’s vision to remain a whisper in the wind, but rather, let us seize the day, 'Carpe Diem,' and build a truly united and resilient Europe.

Bibliography

1- In 1941, the anti-Fascist activists Ernesto Rossi and Altiero Spinelli, placed under house arrest on the Italian island of Ventotene, draw up a manifesto for a free and united Europe. The Ventotene Manifesto, whose full title is "For a Free and United Europe. A draft manifesto” was drawn up by Altiero Spinelli and by Ernesto Rossi (who wrote the first part of the third chapter) in 1941 when they were both interned on the island of Ventotene. https://federalists.eu/federalist-library/the-ventotene-manifesto/

2-Presentation of the Crocodile Club, Centro Spinelli. https://www.centrospinelli.eu/wp/crocodile/presentation-en/ 

3- The history of the ‘Letter’ from 1980 to 1995, Union of European Federalists. https://federalists.eu/federalist-library/the-crocodile-initiative-the-history-of-the-letter-from-1980-to-1995/ 

4- Wolfram KAISER, “Federalism in the European Parliament, From Ventotene to the Spinelli Group”, March 2024, European Parliament History Service, Members' Research Service, PE 760.354. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2024)760354

5- AFCO Committee Presentation. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/afco/about 

6- The EP drafts Treaty on the European Union: Spinelli. https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/video/the-ep-drafts-treaty-on-the-european-union-spinelli_B001-0111

7- Wolfram KAISER, “Federalism in the European Parliament, From Ventotene to the Spinelli Group”, March 2024, European Parliament History Service, Members' Research Service, PE 760.354. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2024)760354

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9- The Spinelli Group. https://thespinelligroup.eu/  

10- Treaty on the European Union. http://data.europa.eu/eli/treaty/teu_2012/oj 

11- Aitor HERNÁNDEZ-MORALES,  “Spain’s Sánchez calls for creation of European army”, 26th March 2025, Politico. https://www.politico.eu/article/spai-pedro-sanchez-calls-creation-european-army-military-budget/ 

12- PESCO is a treaty-based framework for the 26 participating Member States to jointly plan, develop, and invest in collaborative capability development and to enhance the operational readiness and contribution of armed forces.

13- Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. http://data.europa.eu/eli/treaty/tfeu_2012/oj 

14- Commission’s press release 19th March 2025, “Commission unveils the White Paper for European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030”. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_793   

15- Strategic communications from the EEAS, 21st March 2025, “White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030”. https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/white-paper-for-european-defence-readiness-2030_en 

16- Josep BORRELL’s 18th February 2025 interview with Journalist Aimar BRETOS at “La Hora 25” de La Ser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZYJwDb0H2g  

17- Sven BERNHARD GAREIS, “The Global Shift of Power and Its Impact on Europe”, November 2012 - Number 007, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. https://www.marshallcenter.org/en/publications/security-insights/global-shift-power-and-its-impact-europe-0 

18- Michelle L. PRICE, “Trump says he was being a ‘bit sarcastic’ when he promised to end Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours”, 15th March 2025, AP News. https://apnews.com/article/trump-russia-ukraine-war-solved-f51b96e4e690341caee65358bcbab1fa 

19- David SMITH, “Diplomacy dies on live TV as Trump and Vance gang up to bully Ukraine leader”, 28th February 2025, The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/28/trump-zelenskyy-shouting-match-oval-office

20- Yang TIAN & Ian AIKMAN, “Trump blames Zelensky for starting war after massive Russian attack”, 15th April 2025, BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5q0mev07lo  

21- Tim ROSS, Esther WEBBER, Jacopo BARIGAZZI & Nicholas VINOCUR, “Europe fumes at Trump team’s insults in leaked Signal chat”, 25th March 2025, Politico. https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-fume-donald-trump-team-insult-leak-signal-chat/ 

22- EU Parliament’s press release 25th March 2025, “Survey confirms Europe’s citizens want the EU to protect them and act in unity”. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20250317IPR27385/survey-confirms-europe-s-citizens-want-the-eu-to-protect-them-and-act-in-unity 

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