What bren says may be true, but isn't it ironic that the origins of the EU lie in an attempt to prevent any further rise of extreme nationalism after WW2, and the Coal and Steel Community was said to be the first step in the federalisation of Europe.

However, I do believe that, eventually federalisation will come about, despite our differences. After all, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are a union of 4 countries which still consider themselves distinct form each other, have separate legal systems, administrations and culture - some would say that the English have more in common with Americans than with Scots or Irish, and the Scots might find greater kinship with Canadians or Australians than with the English or Welsh. Germany is itself a federation of German principalities and dukedoms, and Italy was formed from a number of independent city states and kingdoms, each of which retains its own identity still. So why not all of Europe eventually?

I'm sure someone, some day, will manage to accumulate enough power to himself to govern Europe as its President, rather than the weak form of presidency it currently has. I personally believe there is more to gain from federalisation than there is to lose.