On 15 March, thousands of citizens joined demonstrations in support of the European Union across major European cities.
In Italy, journalist Michele Serra launched the call for supporters to meet with European flags to strongly affirm the centrality of the founding values of the European Union: peace, democracy and unity.
Political leaders including Carlo Calenda and Riccardo Magi, leaders of ALDE Party members Azione and Più Europa, joined over 30,000 participants to a rally in central Rome entitled “Una piazza per l’Europa” (A square for Europe).
“From today's meeting comes a very clear message, which no one should instrumentalise: let's build this political Europe that is missing, starting with foreign and defence policy,” said Magi.
“In Romania, Serbia, Hungary, Georgia and in Rome, millions of citizens are gathering in the square. What they have in common is their commitment to defending the European values of democracy and freedom. They feel European or want to be European,” said Calenda.
Romanian cities held a series of rallies called Euromanifest, a result of a civic initiative organized by people who believe in democracy, freedom of expression and Romania’s European path.
In the capital of Bucharest, over 10,000 supporters gathered in Victoriei Square, with similar rallies taking place in other cities such as Iași and Timișoara.
Supporters also gathered in other European capitals such as Brussels, Dublin and London.