A federal constitution could have resolved the European Union’s “competence conundrum” at its root (Garben, 2025). Yet federalism remains something of a taboo. Despite this silence, the debate over the EU’s federal character and the extent of its competences has been at the heart of European constitutional law since the beginning of European integration, and it is as relevant as ever.
In this episode of Extra Cathedra, we welcome Professor Sacha Garben to discuss her book The Competence Question in the (Con)Federal European Union (OUP, 2025). We talk about the choice between a federal and a confederal Union, and of a genuine constitution which could be adopted by Europe’s citizens. We also look at how Brexit, against all expectations, brought about a constitutional turning point, and how two decades of crises, up to the recent SAFE defence instrument, have tested the limits of the Treaties.
This podcast was recorded and produced by the Academic Assistants of the Law Department. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the College of Europe.
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