Specifying the list of Common European Interests (Article III, Section 2)

OK, here is a quick list of what I see as topics to potentially put under the federal umbrella. Forgive me if it is not explicit enough.

Armed forces / defence
Communication services, postal and electronic
Consumer protection and health regulation
Economy, including currency, money supply and fiscal and competition regulation
Employment and pensions
Environmental protection
Federal taxation and revenue
Foreign relations regarding federal matters
Permanent settlement of foreign nationals / immigrants
Research, higher education and technology
Security of territory and population
Transport with regards to inter-state traffic networks

Thank you. Indeed, one of the important points is precisely that of competences. All contemporary federal systems have moved towards a type of cooperative federalism, which not only provides for federal and state competences, but also for shared competences. The model is the German one, with the principle of loyal cooperation being crucial in the coordination between levels of government. Co-operative federalism remedies a problem related to the fact that rigid lists of competences often become outdated after only a few years of existence of federal systems. We can also talk about this with reference to other articles of the constitution, but in my opinion we have to ask ourselves this question. Thank you for your attention. Giuseppe

I would like to add to the list as proposed by Herbert a broadening of his point 1. d/ : the transport of goods and its infrastructure.

I would suggest that both from an economical perspective as from the practical perspective of a citizen within the EF the infrastructure (roads, highways, airlines, ships, future modes of transport) is relevant not only to goods but also to people. Of course, we could leave this a national affair, but a brief glance at our European railway infrastructure will tell the shortcomings of such an approach. A practical example being the width of railroad tracks differing per country as a serious impediment to facilitate travel by train through Europe. Also considering the fact that domain of environmental protection is considered a federal power, and that different modes of transport seriously can affect or spare the environment. I think a federal mandate regarding this topic is relevant looking at some policy domains: trains vs. short distance planes, the necessary infrastructure to enable the transition to electric cars, the free movement of goods and people within the federation, etc..

So the addition would be something like:

1. d/ the transport of goods and people and its infrastructure

I would add a line reading “determination of the basic level of benefits relating to civil and social entitlements to be guaranteed throughout the European territory”. This would avoid asymmetries in the protection of rights