Gabriel Attal, a prominent figure in the French presidential race, has reinvigorated the idea of the "United States of Europe" as part of his political platform, calling it "the project of a generation." He believes the current European Union, which includes 27 member states, has reached its limits and is facing growing pressure from both the United States and China. Attal's vision seeks to redefine European unity in a way that responds to modern challenges while building on historical aspirations. The concept of a "United States of Europe" is not new. It was first proposed in the 18th century by the abbé de Saint-Pierre in his Project of perpetual peace (1713). In this work, he suggested that European nations should delegate some of their powers to a "European Parliament" to promote lasting peace. The idea gained renewed attention in the 19th century, when the French writer Victor Hugo argued that a unified Europe was an "inevitable goal." He imagined a future where European nations would come together in a "superior unity" while still preserving their unique identities. The idea was further championed by Winston Churchill after World War II, who called for the creation of a "United States of Europe" to prevent future conflicts. This vision influenced the formation of key European institutions, including the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and Euratom, which were designed to foster economic cooperation and shared scientific advancements. These early efforts were guided by figures like Jean Monnet, who pushed for a common market and a shared nuclear energy program. Gabriel Attal's version of European unity differs from traditional federal models. He envisions an "economic and ecological fusion" among a core group of countries, involving simultaneous referendums without creating a single sovereign state. Under his plan, economic borders would gradually disappear through the alignment of taxes, a unified labor law, and shared debt, while individual states would retain their sovereign powers. Attal draws inspiration from both Victor Hugo and French President Emmanuel Macron, integrating their ideas into his campaign's broader European agenda.