Giving “those younger Germans and French” space to “think and imagine about what they may become and what Europe might look like in their future” would be a welcome departure from past practice. It’s about shifting ownership. Set-piece initiatives were once driven by governments because reconciliation could not spontaneously transpire and heal the wounds. Now the wounds are healed but the ‘post-reconciliation’ goodwill should not be taken for granted. Young Germans and Poles and French rightly demand a voice in all types of matters European: environment, foreign policy, sovereignty, or borders. Backtracking on integration here, advancing integration there, trading policies and striking policies, should all be on the table. The reason more young people are getting angry about “Europe” is because past policies had not reflected popular choices (think Maastricht or Lisbon).

The author is right to bring out “identification with milestones” as a good point to start. If a new federated Europe is that desired milestone, then the work is cut out for policy makers. If the young Europeans won’t hear about a “transfer union”, then a scaling-down of the European house is in order. Nothing should be sacred or predetermined simply because it had been once thought as such.