The recent US military action against Venezuela has ignited a renewed call within Germany for a significant shift in Europe’s geopolitical posture. Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the Bundestag and a prominent figure within the Green Party, has urged the European Union to actively pursue a path towards becoming a “sovereign major power” on the international stage.
Speaking to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspaper group, Nouripour argued that the EU can no longer afford to passively navigate international affairs from the sidelines. “The EU must no longer sit at the cat’s table in terms of foreign and security policy” he stated, emphasizing the necessity for Europe to assert its own independent and influential position globally. He contends that the continued viability of a rules-based international order depends on the EU’s ability to act as a robust, self-sufficient power.
Nouripour’s call represents a pointed critique of the EU’s historically cautious and often reactive foreign policy approach. He specifically urged prioritizing the development of a strong European Defence Union, labelling it “an existential question for Europe’s security”. The politician dismissed mere appeals to international law as insufficient, suggesting they represent a shallow form of foreign policy engagement rather than meaningful action.
The intervention comes at a time of increasing geopolitical instability and highlights a growing debate surrounding Europe’s strategic autonomy. Critics argue that Nouripour’s vision, while ambitious, faces considerable hurdles, including persistent disagreements among member states regarding defence spending, strategic priorities and the role of NATO. The feasibility of transforming the EU into a “sovereign major power” remains a complex challenge, one that requires a significant re-evaluation of European unity and a willingness to embrace a more assertive and independent foreign policy. The Venezuelan incident and the perceived limitations of current European responses, has demonstrably sharpened the urgency of that discussion.
