The president of the EU Commission laid out his vision for the bloc in his State of the Union address, which he delivered on Wednesday.
He outlined plans for universal membership of the Eurozone and Schengen, reaffirmed close cooperation on defence, detailed plans for an independent EU finance minister, and recommendedn the presidencies of European Union and European Council are merged.
But his plans for an EU army were met with alarm by some, with Jean-Claude Juncker claiming there is a desperate need to set one up – and it was high on the agenda.
He said: “The European Union should also have more influence on the world stage. But it needs to be able to take its foreign policy decisions more swiftly.
“I think the time has come to make foreign policy decisions in certain cases by a qualified majority.
“And that is allowed, under the existing treaties as long as there is a unanimous decision by the EU council, and there is reason to do that it would make our work more efficient.
“In the field of defence more effort is required. The setting up of a European defence fund is on our agenda.
“Permanent structured cooperation in the defence field is well on the way.
“By 2025 we will need a functioning European Defence Union. We need it and NATO would like us to have it.”
The speech was slapped down by some in the chamber, who rejected calls for the army.
Going one step further was former Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who used his time to lay into Mr Juncker’s plans, as well as remaining steadfast in his positivity over Brexit.
He said: “The message is very clear: Brexit has happened, new steam ahead.
“One powerful president for the whole of the EU. A finance minister with fresh powers.
“A stronger European army in a militarised European Union. And more Europe in every single direction and all to be done without the consent of the people.”
He added Europe was appointing powerful unelected people in positions of huge power including “a finance minister who intervenes when he feels it necessary” and plans for “a European army with a more aggressive foreign policy.”