What is (not) European Federalism?
European Federalism is sometimes considered an F-word. Beyond the easy critics, let's explore what it means and what federalists stand for.
Federalism is not an anti-democratic plot. In fact, it is quite the opposite. It wants to strengthen the democratic power of European citizens. Today, for example, France’s economic future is partly decided by other countries. If the German government decides to invest in the car industry or in the steel industry, the consequences will be felt by their French counterparts. Federalists want relevant decisions to be made among Europeans so that everybody's voice is heard.
Federalism does not mean the disappearance of national cultures. On the contrary, it is a political union that respects national and regional cultural differences. It is even the guarantee for the preservation of local specificities: Europe already does so much for PDO products1, regional languages, etc.
Federalism is not the centralisation of powers in Brussels. It is the distribution, according to the principle of subsidiarity, of democratic decision-making powers. The different regional, national, and European levels will work together and contribute to the end of centralism as it may exist in France.
Federalism is not the end of national sovereignty. It is the beginning of European sovereignty. Giving more power to citizens to influence economic, fiscal, social, health, and other decisions in the largest political union in the world.
Federalism is not about competition between European countries. It is the defence of the interests of European workers, consumers, and companies in the face of international competition, against which we cannot compete individually.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_designation_of_origin