Former Estonian president, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, affiliates with a federalist European group
In a surprising move, former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves has aligned himself with Volt Europa, a federalist political movement advocating for a progressive, integrated Europe.
With a shared goal of building a Europe that's resilient, prosperous, and capable of steering change in tumultuous times, Ilves has decided to take a political stand after nearly two decades without party affiliation.
"The challenges the European Union faces today have drastically changed," Ilves stated. "The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the unpredictable administration in the US have significantly altered the transatlantic relationship. We need to ask ourselves if our European way of life can survive?"
Ilves strongly believes that Europe must address its lethargy, resist avoidance of difficult reforms, and overcome internal disagreements to thrive in the uncertain climate. He emphasizes the need for action in several key areas, including defense, capital markets, technology, self-defeating innovation and tech regulations, energy policies, and decision-making.
Europe, according to Ilves, is currently under attack from internal populist extremists and hostile forces abroad, threatening the core values of the Enlightenment. These values, which have brought prosperity and dignity to people worldwide, are under attack today. It's crucial, he says, to take these threats seriously and enact fundamental reforms that will ensure Europe's survival in the face of domestic and international challenges.
A Movement for a Stronger, Federal Europe
Founded in 2017, Volt Europa is a transnational, pro-European, and federalist political movement. It operates as a pan-European umbrella for parties sharing the same name and branding. While it currently doesn't have an Estonian subsidiary, it operates one in Finland.
Volt Europa advocates for a stronger, more integrated European Union with the long-term aim of creating a federal Europe. Some of its key goals include the formation of a European army, joint European debt and taxes, investment in nuclear power, and strengthening economic solidarity between EU member states.
Volt:
- Opposes discrimination and supports LGBT+ rights.
- Advocates for common management of migration and border protection across the EU.
- Promotes a federal Europe with a strong European Parliament, aiming to create a unified European voice globally.
- Supports investment in nuclear power if safety standards are met and promotes a unified European energy grid.
- Seeks to build a more resilient, integrated, and sustainable Europe through addressing challenges related to the economy, society, environment, and political reform.
With the decision to join Volt, Ilves associates himself with the movement's core values, which prioritize evidence-based policy, the exchange of best practices among EU countries and municipalities, and the pursuit of a better future for Europe and its citizens.
- Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former Estonian President, has joined Volt Europa, a political movement emphasizing a progressive, federalist Europe.
- Ilves' decision to take a political stand follows nearly two decades ofparty affiliation absence, driven by the changed challenges facing the European Union.
- The transatlantic relationship, altered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the unpredictable US administration, compels Ilves to question Europe's ability to survive.
- Ilves urges Europe to respond to internal lethargy, confront difficult reforms, and overcome disputes to navigate uncertain times.
- He highlights defense, capital markets, technology, energy policies, and decision-making as crucial areas for action.
- Europe, according to Ilves, faces attacks from internal populist extremists and foreign hostilities, endangering Enlightenment values that have brought prosperity worldwide.
- Volt Europa, established in 2017, is a transnational, federalist movement advocating for a stronger EU with goals like a European army, joint EU debt and taxes, and nuclear power investment.
- Ilves aligns himself with Volt Europa's values, which prioritize evidence-based policy, best practices exchange, and a better future for Europe, all demonstrated on their LinkedIn page under general news and policy-and-legislation sections.
