Le Parlement Européen à la Croisée des Chemins

Abstract

Courtesy Barbara Spinelli (European Parliament) and Virginio Dastoli (European Movement and European Federalists), it is our pleasure to republish the presentation of the first issue of “Crocodile – Lettre aux Membres du Parlement européen”, founded and directed by Altiero Spinelli (1907-1986). The journal was launched on October 1, 1980, just one year after the first election of the European Parliament by universal suffrage (June 1979). In 1984 this Parliament endorsed the draft of a Treatise for the European Union, a substantial step toward the institution of a political union. The parallel proposal of union of all European States in a supranational State, promoted by the European Federalists, was rejected by the Heads of State members of the European Council. A subtle discussion of the conditions for existence and efficacy of a “European will” is the very core of this precious historical document.