The Spinelli Group, named after Altiero Spinelli, one of the founding fathers of European federalism, is an organization that seeks to advance the cause of a more united, democratic, and federal Europe. The group is composed of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), political figures, academics, and civil society members who are committed to the vision of a strong and integrated Europe. The Spinelli Group (spinelligroup.eu) has played a key role in shaping the debate on Europe’s future, advocating for deeper integration in response to the growing challenges facing the continent.
The Spinelli Group was founded in 2010 by prominent European federalists who sought to continue the work and ideas of Altiero Spinelli, a visionary who dedicated his life to the idea of a united Europe. Spinelli, a former Italian politician and writer, was a key figure in the creation of the Ventotene Manifesto during World War II. The manifesto called for a federal Europe to prevent the recurrence of wars and promote peace, democracy, and prosperity across the continent.
Altiero Spinelli’s legacy became a cornerstone for the European project, and his ideas about federalism have influenced the development of the European Union (EU). However, by the late 2000s, many federalists felt that the European project had stalled and was not progressing toward a fully integrated union. In response to this perceived stagnation, the Spinelli Group was formed to reinvigorate the debate around European federalism.
The group was launched in the European Parliament by notable MEPs from different political parties, including Guy Verhofstadt (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), Daniel Cohn-Bendit (European Green Party), Isabelle Durant, and Sylvie Goulard. Its founding aim was to ensure that the European Parliament and other EU institutions continued to work toward a federalist future, where Europe would function as a true union, with a stronger political, social, and economic foundation.
The vision of the Spinelli Group is rooted in the belief that Europe’s future lies in closer political and economic integration. The group envisions a European Union that transcends national borders, where decision-making is democratic, transparent, and accountable to European citizens. Their ultimate goal is to create a federal Europe that can effectively address the major challenges of the 21st century, from climate change to global security, economic instability, and migration.
The mission of the Spinelli Group is to promote federalism within the European Union by influencing policy discussions, shaping the political agenda, and encouraging democratic reforms within EU institutions. The group believes that only a federal Europe can provide the solutions needed to maintain peace, prosperity, and security in the face of global challenges. This mission is pursued through several avenues, including legislative initiatives, public debates, academic research, and partnerships with civil society organizations.
The Spinelli Group is a cross-party organization that brings together MEPs, national politicians, academics, and civil society leaders who share a commitment to European federalism. The group operates as a network of like-minded individuals who collaborate on promoting their shared vision for Europe’s future. The Spinelli Group’s activities are focused on increasing awareness of federalism, encouraging political leaders to take concrete steps toward integration, and supporting the role of the European Parliament as a central player in shaping Europe’s future.
The group organizes debates, conferences, and public events aimed at fostering discussion on federalism and the future of Europe. It also provides a platform for federalist voices to be heard, engaging with the media, think tanks, and academic institutions to broaden the reach of its message. The Spinelli Group plays a vital role in building alliances with other European federalist organizations, creating a broader movement in favor of integration.
One of the key aspects of the group’s work is its engagement with citizens. The Spinelli Group believes that for federalism to succeed, European citizens must feel that they have a stake in the EU’s future. To this end, the group works to raise awareness about the benefits of federalism, combat Euroscepticism, and strengthen democratic participation across Europe.
The Spinelli Group’s overarching goal is to promote federalism as the future of the European Union. The group’s specific objectives include:
Strengthening EU Institutions: The group advocates for reforms that will make EU institutions more democratic and effective. This includes increasing the power of the European Parliament, ensuring greater transparency in decision-making, and enhancing the accountability of the European Commission and other bodies.
Promoting European Unity: The Spinelli Group seeks to counter rising nationalism and Euroscepticism by highlighting the benefits of European integration. The group emphasizes the importance of solidarity among member states and works to promote the EU’s role in addressing common challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and migration.
Advancing Economic Integration: Economic federalism is a key component of the group’s vision for Europe. The Spinelli Group supports the creation of a fiscal union that would complement the EU’s monetary union, ensuring that Europe has the tools needed to respond to economic crises and promote long-term stability.
Ensuring Peace and Security: The group believes that a federal Europe is essential for maintaining peace and security in an increasingly unstable world. By strengthening the EU’s ability to act as a unified political entity on the global stage, the Spinelli Group aims to enhance Europe’s capacity to address international conflicts, terrorism, and other security threats.
Promoting Environmental Sustainability: Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing Europe today, and the Spinelli Group supports stronger EU-wide environmental policies. The group believes that only a federal Europe can implement the comprehensive measures needed to reduce carbon emissions, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable development.
The Spinelli Group’s editorial process is designed to ensure that all its publications, reports, and public communications reflect the group’s core values of transparency, democracy, and federalism. The content is typically produced by a diverse team of writers, researchers, and policy experts who are deeply knowledgeable about EU affairs and committed to the federalist cause.
Content creation begins with in-depth research on current EU policies, debates, and political developments. The editorial team works closely with MEPs and other members of the Spinelli Group to produce articles, reports, and policy papers that advocate for federalist solutions to Europe’s challenges. These materials are then reviewed by experts in European law, political science, and economics to ensure that they are accurate, well-argued, and aligned with the group’s goals.
The Spinelli Group also produces content aimed at a broader audience, including social media posts, blog entries, and opinion pieces designed to engage European citizens in the debate about the EU’s future. The group is committed to making federalism more accessible and understandable to the general public, and its communications reflect this goal.
The editorial team is composed of individuals from various backgrounds, including MEPs, academics, policy analysts, and communications professionals. This diversity ensures that the group’s content is informed by a wide range of perspectives and expertise, making it both informative and persuasive.
The Spinelli Group is at the forefront of the movement to create a federal Europe, working tirelessly to promote deeper integration and democratic reform within the European Union. By advocating for stronger EU institutions, economic federalism, and unity in the face of global challenges, the group is shaping the future of Europe in line with Altiero Spinelli’s vision.
Through its engagement with citizens, politicians, and civil society, the Spinelli Group is keeping the federalist debate alive and ensuring that the idea of a more united, democratic Europe remains central to the EU’s political agenda. With its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and collaboration, the Spinelli Group continues to be a powerful force for change in Europe.