Europe must choose between power and dependence

As the 2027 national elections approach in nine key European countries, a crucial question looms over them all: do Europeans want to remain masters of their own destiny or cede control to external powers? This fundamental choice is underscored by recent events, such as Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's victory in Saxony-Anhalt, which serves as a warning not only for Germany but for the entire continent.

Maintaining sovereignty entails defending oneself in an era where the US is scaling back its commitments to allies. It also means supporting Ukraine, upholding democracy and the rule of law, harnessing AI for the common good, securing autonomy in energy, technology, and industrial sectors, and preserving a socially and environmentally responsible model. While the building blocks for European power exist, they have yet to be integrated effectively.

European leaders often discuss defense and competitiveness without fully implementing the solutions needed to address strategic vulnerabilities and raise growth potential. Similarly, there is talk of reindustrialization and the importance of AI, yet no clear vision on financing or social implications. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney aptly described the breakdown of the international order as energy, technology, finance, and supply chains increasingly serve as instruments of power and coercion.

Europe must transcend its current middle-power status and strive to become a democratic superpower - one that is both powerful and sovereign, yet non-imperial. The Europa Power Initiative aims to provide coherence to Europe's efforts in navigating the geopolitical challenges ahead. However, Europe must exercise caution not to overestimate or underestimate its strengths. While some areas of power are indeed limited, others are merely perceived as such.

Europeans must confront how to transform a supranational polity into a democratic, sustainable, and responsible power capable of safeguarding its interests, preserving freedoms, and offering a vision grounded in shared rules, cooperation, and multilateralism. The choice before Europeans is not one between their individual countries and Europe, but between declining individually or exercising power collectively.

By creating a democratic power capable of swift action in crises, Europe can avoid becoming a superstate that erases nations, but instead a community that enables states to wield powers none can alone.