Europeans must choose between power and dependence

In 2027, national elections in nine European countries — France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Greece, Finland, Estonia, Slovakia, and Slovenia — will be held. These elections, along with Germany's indirect federal presidential election, will center on issues like cost-of-living pressures, immigration, public debt, security, and social protections. However, a deeper question will permeate these contests: do European nations wish to retain control over their own affairs or permit critical decisions to be made by external entities?

The gravity of this choice is already evident. The Alternative for Germany's recent win in Saxony-Anhalt serves as a cautionary tale, not just for Germany but for the entire continent. To assert our own destiny, we must possess the capability to defend ourselves, especially as the United States reduces its commitments to allies.

This includes safeguarding our democracy, the rule of law, and media pluralism; leveraging AI for the greater good; ensuring military, scientific, technological, energy, and industrial autonomy; and sustaining our social and environmental standards.

While the components of European power are present, they have not yet been integrated into a cohesive force. In Europe, discussions about defense are often vague, lacking a clear definition of the sovereignty it should safeguard. Similarly, references to competitiveness are made without fully implementing the solutions already identified to address Europe's strategic weaknesses. Plans for re-industrialization remain undefined, and the significance of AI is acknowledged without a corresponding social vision.

These issues persist despite our current subscription plans allowing for commentaries. If you wish to comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page. Please note that your subscription plan does not permit commenting. For further information, refer to our FAQ.