The European Union and National Superpower Interests

In recent weeks, developments have come to light that reveal a significant instability within the European Union as an association of 27 sovereign member states. Although the Commission, led by its President Ursula von der Leyen, often makes grandiose statements to the public, the “unanimity principle” for fundamental foreign policy decisions, which was introduced to protect the interests of smaller and weaker states, is proving complicated, when it comes to getting EU countries to agree on a common line. The differing interests of individual states make this “unanimity” difficult, for example, in dealing with the war in Ukraine or the war in Gaza. The response to this is not to deepen diplomatic exchanges in order to reach mutually acceptable compromises, but to create “parallel structures”, in which the interests of the politically and economically powerful states can be implemented. 

On January 28th, the first video-meeting of a group of the six richest nations in the EU (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland) took place. The topic of discussion was the “need to improve the competitiveness of the EU.” It is not the topic, but the creation of this structure that is noteworthy. Apparently, these governments are considering a change to the 27-state format. There is talk in Brussels that they do not want to be restricted by “blockades” from smaller states (Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic), particularly in foreign policy. In view of Belgium’s rejection of plans to use frozen Russian assets, there seems to be uncertainty about “unanimity” in the EU.

At the end of January, the EPP invited members to a closed-door meeting in Zagreb. There, the current group chairman Manfred Weber (Germany, CSU) presented his ideas for a structural change in the European Union in line with German power politics. He advocated introducing new rules for foreign policy decisions. The dominant states of Germany and France no longer want to be restricted in their political and military actions by smaller countries. If Europe wants to become militarized and capable of waging war, such obstacles must be overcome. Weber called for a new “sovereignty treaty” that would allow “willing” states to cooperate more closely in foreign and security policy without regard for others. Clearly, cooperation within NATO is no longer enough for the EPP. In addition, a new office is to be created—a “European president,” sensibly filled by a German politician. At the same time, Weber is seeking to join forces with France and the fascist government in Italy to advance these plans. This “European president” is to be elected in connection with the European Parliament elections. What sounds so democratic, however, actually means the elimination of smaller and regional political forces from decision-making in the EU. The result would be a Donald Trump for Europe. EU representatives loudly protest against the rise of autocratic governments in the member states. The same EU representatives do not want to admit that with these plans they want to establish a form of government at the European level.

It is significant that the PES Group and the Liberals are also signaling their approval of these plans. Perhaps they hope to be part of this new power structure. In the past, Weber has repeatedly shown how he would rely on these groups to assert his power interests by joining forces with the three far-right factions. While in Germany and France it is still claimed in domestic politics that a firewall against the AfD and the RN respectively is to be maintained, it has long been common practice in the European Parliament to enforce one’s own political objectives with the help of the extreme right.

The FIR follows such changes to the structural foundations of the European Union and the European Parliament with concern. This leads to a hegemonic policy of the major European powers, rather than to a democratic renewal of Europe.

Retrieved from the Federation of Resistance Fighters (FIR) – Fédération Internationale des Résistants