EU is a ecenomical alliance and nothing more. The defense is important because of Russia and we already work together through nato and other alliances this is nothing new, energy will be a massive debate and not work at all as the south won't bulge towards germany's command because that's exactly what it is safe germany. Health is already a thing because of markets with medicine etc, that's part of the ecenomical alliance.
If you think people are going to drop there independence for some EU overlord nation, u honestly have no clue about the EU, that's exactly what nobody in the EU wants, and u will see massive revolt against it in the country's, as it basically mean germany took over europe as they lead the whole EU. Go look at any debate or any conclusion that's formed its basically germany that tells you whats up + france walking like a puppy behind them.
Key figures within the EU, past and present, have been striving for a United States of Europe for years.
Guy Verhofstadt is one person who has been actively campaigning for a USE for years. He even wrote a book on it in 2005 called
United States of Europe, which interestingly won the first European book prize that was held in the European parliament in Brussels. Think of that what you will.
Another individual is German politician Martin Schulz, who once said that he wants to see a new constitution for a USE, but any member state that is against this should be kicked out of the bloc.
That's just two individuals of many who've been calling for the EU to morph into a new unified state. You then have political groups in Europe who's main goal is to form a USE. These include the Union of European Federalists and Volt Europa. And, I know they come across as crazy, but the FBPE cult on Twitter are mostly all for uniting Europe into one state.
I agree that at this moment in time, a majority of the public wouldn't agree to giving up their national identity to be part of a unified European state. However, the plan has been in motion for some time and it's happening at such a slow pace that most people aren't even aware it's happening.
Look at the current push to end veto rights, which was voted in favour by a majority of MEPs. If this was out to the public of each member state in the form of a referendum, do you think the people would agree to have their nations veto removed?