Europe defence
Von der Leyen divides governments: Europe’s defence is a political bomb
Ursula von der Leyen has accelerated the push towards a common European defence. The ReArm Europe initiative, officially presented in March 2025 alongside the strategic roadmap Prepared for 2030, marks a significant shift in the continent’s approach to security. This is not a symbolic gesture: it’s a structured plan with deep economic and political implications, aiming to strengthen the EU’s military capabilities while nurturing a fully integrated European defence industry.
This move comes in a period of sharp instability. The ongoing war in Ukraine, rising global tensions, and mounting NATO pressure on EU member states to raise their defence spending have all contributed to the sense of urgency. ReArm Europe responds with a new paradigm: beyond intergovernmental cooperation, the proposal calls for centralised planning, coordinated investments, and shared objectives. The Readiness 2030 document, drafted in parallel with the Defence White Paper, outlines a vision of a Europe capable of defending itself and producing its own critical military technologies.
Von der Leyen divides governments: Europe’s defence is a political bomb
The strategic context: why now?
Europe’s defence rethink is no coincidence. Since 2022, global military spending has surged. The United States now allocates over 4% of its GDP to defence. China is ramping up advanced weapons production, including drones developed in partnership with Iran. India is moving closer to Russia. In this new global arms race, Europe’s dependency on foreign suppliers, its fragmented industrial system, and the lack of interoperability between national armies have become glaring weaknesses.
Von der Leyen seized the moment to push for a decisive leap forward. The plan has two core pillars: firstly, to raise military spending to at least 2% of GDP across all member states; secondly, to concentrate investments in common European platforms. ReArm Europe revolves around three pillars: funds for joint procurement, technological innovation (in AI, space, cybersecurity), and simplified rules for cross-border cooperation.
Europe defence
How ReArm Europe works: funding and production
One of the most divisive issues is funding. The European Commission has proposed extraordinary tools, including the issuance of Eurobonds dedicated to defence. Italy, France, and Greece support this approach, while Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, and Hungary firmly oppose any form of shared debt. They instead advocate the use of existing financial mechanisms such as the European Defence Fund or the European Investment Bank. Private-public partnerships are also being explored.
On the industrial side, the focus is on “Europeanising” the defence supply chain. France and Spain advocate strict restrictions on non-EU suppliers, while Italy, Germany, and Poland favour open collaboration with NATO partners such as the UK, Canada, and the United States. This is the context in which the European Defence Mechanism (EDM) has emerged — a new coordinating body to ensure transparent procurement, interoperability, and support for SMEs across the sector.
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Europe’s internal divisions: the stance of the 27 member states
Europe is far from united. The Baltic states, Finland, and Poland are calling for a fast-track implementation of the plan, motivated by the threat from Russia. Germany and the Netherlands support the concept but reject using cohesion funds. Sweden and Denmark highlight the need for transparency and democratic oversight. Hungary and Slovakia express fears over sovereignty and want safeguards on national interests. Meanwhile, Portugal and Cyprus support the plan only if it protects budgets for healthcare and education.
The European Commission has announced it will present the first legislative package at the June European Council summit, aiming to activate initial funding instruments by autumn.
The Italian debate: fractured lines across coalitions
In Italy, ReArm Europe has caused deep divisions across the political spectrum. The centre-right coalition passed a unified motion that avoids naming the plan directly but reaffirms support for Ukraine and NATO obligations. The League, initially opposed, succeeded in including requests to renegotiate the Green Deal and redirect EU resources to domestic priorities. Brothers of Italy and Forza Italia remain aligned with NATO, supporting a European defence project only if it stays within the Atlantic framework.
On the centre-left, the Democratic Party has called for a “radical revision” of the plan, opposing both the national rearmament and the use of structural funds for military spending. Party leader Elly Schlein is balancing criticism with the need to remain close to the European socialist family. Internal tensions have grown after some party leaders joined the Five Star Movement’s protest against the plan.
The Five Star Movement has made opposition to ReArm Europe a key platform, advocating to divert funds toward healthcare, education, and green investments. The Green-Left Alliance calls for a moratorium on the plan and a UN-led diplomatic initiative for a ceasefire in Ukraine. On the other side, Action, Italia Viva, and More Europe fully support the Commission’s initiative, calling for increased defence spending and a faster path toward a federal European military system.
Europe at a crossroads
With ReArm Europe, the EU is facing a historic choice: build real strategic autonomy or remain trapped in its internal fractures. While the ambition is undeniable, the plan’s fate hinges on whether clear governance, transparent procurement rules, and a civil-military balance can be established. Without these, there is a real risk that ReArm becomes just another bureaucratic construct.
Yet for the first time, Europe is attempting to frame defence not as a financial burden, but as a strategic pillar of its political and economic sovereignty. It is a high-stakes gamble — one that could redefine the Union by 2030.