A Federal Europe is not likely simply because of cultural differences.
Indeed, Cindersdad. When we talked about federalism last week, here:
www.gransnet.com/forums/news_and_politics/1241095-Why-are-we-leaving?pg=3&messages=100
Mamie had this to say:
Mamie Sun 08-Oct-17 09:20:25
I always thing it is interesting that anyone who knows France and the French would think for one minute that they would accept a lessening of their status as a nation to be swept up into the "European superstate" notion.
The idea of "patrimoine" is so strong here and the French are, in my opinion, much more patriotic in their daily lives than the British. Although it is slowly changing, most still drive French cars; for an overwhelming majority French cuisine is the only possible way of cooking, French wine the best in the world etc etc.
I'd add to that that I doubt if the Spanish, the Italians, the Portugese, who have all in the past fought to make, or keep, their countries sovereign would be particularly interested in a federal state of Europe. And I wonder what the EU countries that were formerly part of the USSR would think of the idea?