Mais integração. O federalismo na construção europeia

European Union is an unfinished politcal project, which makes its history of more than sixty years so interesting. What could have turned into a solid entity and resistant to many obstacles still lacks political strength. Since 1950 it seemed inevitable the construction of a European federation, but from Rome to Lisbon the process has been dragging. In this article we analyze historically the role of European institutions in dialogue with national drives, sovereignty and legitimacy to argue that a de facto European federation is a relevant option for the future.