EFA MEPs Oppose EU Rearmament Plan

Today, MEPs from the European Free Alliance (EFA) Group voted against the European Commission's latest proposal to ramp up military spending and rearm the EU.

EFA MEPs recognise the need for a coordinated security and defence strategy, but they strongly oppose an approach that prioritises increased military budgets without ensuring efficiency, transparency, and strategic European autonomy.

A key concern for the EFA MEPs is the transfer of cohesion funds, which would divert essential resources from social investment to military spending. At a time when EU citizens face urgent challenges such as housing, education, and healthcare, cutting funds meant for social development to finance armaments is both irresponsible and unacceptable.

Furthermore, the current proposal fails to address the issue of interoperability, leaving Europe with 27 fragmented defence systems that do not effectively work together. Without real coordination, merely increasing spending will not strengthen European security but will instead waste resources and deepen inefficiencies.

The EFA Group urges the European Commission to prioritise an efficient, cooperative, and sovereign approach to defence, one that does not undermine social policies or deepen Europe's dependence on external actors. Security cannot

Diana Riba I Giner,EFA Group President, said:

"If Europe were a single state, it would be the world’s second-largest power in terms of military spending."

"The issue is not how much we spend, but how we spend it"

"The real problem is that we have 27 different defence systems with no effective coordination. We are inefficient, and this will NOT be solved by pouring billions into national budgets"

"Commission representatives, assess how we can be more efficient. Coordinate strategy and investment at the EU level."

"Fifteen years ago, social rights were cut across the EU in the name of austerity. Today, we will not allow the same to happen in the name of war."

Vicent Marzà, EFA MEP, added:

“A stronger, autonomous European Security and Defence Policy based on democratic values is essential.”

“ It is unreasonable to allow increased spending on armaments while not allowing such flexibility on fiscal rules for social issues such as housing.”

“The current conditions, which allow individual states to spend freely without improving interoperability or prioritising European industry, mean that von der Leyen's rearmament plan risks making Europe more dependent on the US instead of fostering greater European sovereignty.”

Ana Miranda, EFA MEP, added:

"In the face of increasing militarism and war, as an MEP from a pacifist organisation, we want to show our firm opposition to this European rearmament."

"President Von der Leyen, does not care that the people will pay for these military expenses; she does not care that it is citizens who bear the cost of war."

"More military spending means fewer public services such as housing, healthcare, or pensions."

"We must return to peace, to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, to diplomacy, and to the defence of human rights. We must return to democracy."

“We will not allow the approval of budgets that undermine social policies, which is why we firmly oppose this militarist rearmament.”