Franziska Brantner, the leader of the Green Party, is strongly advocating for the establishment of a “European defense union.” This stance stems from a manuscript of her speech given at the University of Vilnius, as reported by “Die Welt”. Brantner is building on previous arguments, including a presentation at Oxford University, emphasizing that a re-armed Germany must be fully integrated within a European defense alliance.
Beyond security concerns, she intends to address anxieties within the EU regarding the possibility of a far-right government seizing power in Germany. Brantner clarified that the modern meaning of “Never again” is the end of German exceptionalism. She argues that should Germany ever fall under the control of a far-right regime, it must be so deeply interwoven into European structures that it cannot realistically turn against the fundamental European order.
To achieve this, Brantner insists that what Germany needs is a European defense union initiated by those countries willing to take the lead. This union must be designed so that no member nation-least of all its home country-ever acts in isolation. She proposes that the initial formation of this defense union should commence as a “coalition of the brave.”
Brantner outlined the necessary contributors for this collaborative effort. She stated that France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and Italy must take a pioneering role in establishing the alliance. Additionally, the Baltic states and the Nordic countries would contribute invaluable first-hand experience in coping with hybrid threats. Finally, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom possess significant capabilities in terms of military industry and naval might.
