The United States of Europe: What It Is and How It Would Work | Anna Strolenberg (VOLT)

Europe is facing a level of geopolitical uncertainty it hasn't seen in decades. From the war in Ukraine to shifting US foreign policy, questions about the future of the European Union are more pressing than ever. One answer gaining momentum among young Europeans is the idea of a United States of Europe.In this episode, I speak with Anna Strolenberg, Member of the European Parliament representing VOLT - a transnational European party - about what this idea actually means, how it would work in practice, and what the main risks and trade-offs are.What is VOLT?: how this transnational European party works across borders and why it was built this wayThe United States of Europe: what the concept means, what would change, and what would stay the sameDefense and security: the case for a European army and what it would look like alongside existing national armiesThe veto: how unanimity voting works today, why some see it as a problem, and what alternatives existEuropean governance: how decisions are currently made in the EU, who holds power, and what a more democratic structure could look likeEastern vs Western Europe: different perspectives on European integration and how to address the gapCultural identity: the concern that deeper integration threatens national cultures, and the counter-argumentRepresentation in politics: on being the youngest Dutch MEP, diversity in parliament, and who gets to shape political decisionsHuman rights: why Anna sees this as the necessary foundation of any future European project