Expectations vs. Realities: The European Returning Plan
The European Commission, under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, has launched an ambitious plan of rearmament that amounts to 800 billion euros. However, only a fraction of this amount, 150 billion, will come directly from the EU, and the rest will be in charge of the Member States. This situation raises serious questions about the capacity of European countries to deal with their military responsibilities.
Investment strategies and national limitations
Spain has sought to integrate various expenses into its military budget, including areas such as environmental sustainability. Now, Italy joins this trend with its own approach. The government of Giorgia Meloni seeks to include in 2% of the GDP dedicated to defense, costs associated with the police and the coastal forces, which are technically part of the armed forces.
A solution that avoids real increase in expenses
With this maneuver, Italy could comply with European requirements without really increasing its expenses in defense, an option that would involve reductions in other sectors, which shows the pressure that Brussels exerts on public finances.
The Paradox of the Economy of War to France
The initiative of ‘The War Economy’ promoted by President Emmanuel Macron is revealing as a challenge. France is in a complicated tax situation, with a deficit approaching 6% of GDP. This has led to the cancellation of various programs of the Ministry of Defense, which calls into question the viability of this ambitious plan.
The German dilemma: More expenses without resources
Germany, on its way to a rearmament, encounters a significant problem: a chronic deficit of staff in its armed forces. The future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has announced a debt plan to revitalize the economy, but strategy errors seem to be repeated, and the lack of recruitment is an obstacle that cannot be ignored.
An uncertain future for German Armed Forces
Last year, German Armed Forces recorded a negative balance in recruiting, with more soldiers abandoning than entering the service. In addition, a significant part of the new recruits left the training program before completing it.
Poland: An Example to Follow?
Unlike its neighbors in Western Europe, Poland seems to be successfully applying the directives of Brussels and NATO. This difference stands out as a contrast to the difficulties facing other European countries to fulfill their defense obligations.
The dichotomy between the optimistic statements of the European Commission and the reality of the Member States is evident. As the geopolitical situation intensifies, the need for solid and consistent defense becomes more urgent, but economic and strategic limitations could cause these expectations to remain merely theoretical.