European Parliament
On the Future of EU Treaty Reform

04/08/2025

After nearly 20 years without treaty reform, multiple crises are pushing the EU to change. Together with The Spinelli Group, Hanns Seidel Foundation supported a public discussion conducted by the Paneuropean Working Group in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Almost 20 years: Treaty of Lisbon

The last amendment to the European treaties in Lisbon in 2007 was almost two decades ago. Just a few years earlier, the attempt to establish a European Constitution had failed. Nevertheless, the Treaty of Lisbon introduced important innovations into European politics: it strengthened the Parliament as a legislator alongside the Council and created several new positions – the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as a President of the European Council.

In addition, the Lisbon Treaty established the right to petition at the European level and the possibility of leaving the Union – an option that the United Kingdom would soon make use of.

Conference on the Future of Europe

The Conference on the Future of Europe was conceived to initiate reforms to improve the effectiveness of key policy areas.

In this context, Members of the European Parliament from various political groups have proposed treaty reforms to build a strong, values-based Europe and enhance the EU’s capacity to act. They advocate for a paradigm shift towards global unity.

The EU should become more democratic, strategic, and globally capable, expanding its responsibilities to areas like public health, civil protection, industry, and education. Existing shared responsibilities in energy, foreign affairs, security, and defence should also be strengthened.

Facing geopolitical challenges, growing uncertainty, and economic pressure, the EU needs reforms—whether through treaty changes or pragmatic adjustments within current structures.

Cross-party discussion

Most members of the European Parliament support the idea that the EU institutions should be reformed. However, there are differing views on the when and how of such reforms.

How can the proposed reforms enhance the effectiveness and democratic legitimacy of the EU institutions? Will they, by the same token, be helpful to prepare the EU for enlargement? In which policy areas should the EU be granted more powers, and which are the challenges lying ahead? Finally, to what extent can EU reform help strengthen the EU as a global actor?

These and other questions were discussed on 31 March by members of the Paneuropean Working Group in Strasbourg. The public event was supported by The Spinelli Group and the Brussels Office of the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

Public Discussion on EU Treaty Reform, Strasbourg, March 31, 2025. From left to right: Daniel Freund, Klára Dobrev, Sandro Gozi, Sven Simon, Andreas Kalina, Thomas Leeb

Speakers included:

Lukas MANDL, MEP, Member of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Development, European Parliament
Dr. Thomas LEEB, Head of the Europe Office in Brussels, Hanns Seidel Foundation
Prof. Dr. Sven SIMON, MEP, EPP Group, Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, European Parliament
Dr. Andreas KALINA, Lecturer on Political and Social Change and European Integration at the Academy for Civic Education in Tutzing
Sandro GOZI, MEP, Renew Europe Group, Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Klara DOBREV, MEP, S&D Group, Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Daniel FREUND, MEP, Greens/EFA Group, Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Matej Tonin, MEP, EPP Group, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

The discussion was broadcast live and can be accessed here.