Berlin, Dec 7 (AFP) The head of Germany's SocialDemocrats, Martin Schulz, a potential future governing partnerof Chancellor Angela Merkel, called today for the creation ofa "United States of Europe" by 2025.
Schulz delivered a passionate plea for a more united andfederal Europe at an SPD party congress that was due to decidewhether his centre-left party will enter exploratory talks toform a new coalition government with Merkel.
"I want a European constitutional treaty that creates afederal Europe", said Schulz, the former European parliamentpresident, proposing a written convention involving civilsociety and citizens.
The treaty would then be presented to all member statesfor ratification, with those that reject it automaticallyleaving the bloc, Schulz proposed in a speech at a Berlinmeeting of some 600 delegates.
He suggested a target year of 2025, one century after theSPD first spoke of a future "United States of Europe".
Schulz said only a more united EU could meet challengessuch as combating climate change or managing mass migration,forcing internet giants such as Google and Facebook to respectcivil rights or stopping large companies from dodging taxes.
"Europe is our life insurance," said Schulz. "It is theonly chance we have to keep up with the other great regions ofthe world."He also argued that only a strengthened EU would stop theadvance of right-wing nationalists, citing gains they had madein Germany as well as Austria, Denmark, Finland, France andthe Netherlands.
"If we don't change course, if we don't strengthen Europein very practical and concrete ways, then these forces willwin," he warned.
He reiterated that the eurozone should have moreinvestment and a common finance minister and budget.
Schulz said that if the SPD ends up again governing withMerkel, Berlin's stance on Europe would have to shift awayfrom the austerity approach of Merkel and her former financeminister Wolfgang Schaeuble.
"God knows that the European Union can't afford anotherfour years of German policies on Europe in the style ofWolfgang Schaeuble," he said to applause. (AFP)CPS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.