No to a European army!

Speech by Ralf Dekker MP to the Dutch Parliament, 18 March 2025

Chairman,

Forum for Democracy has argued here on many occasions that the European response to the geopolitical tensions which have arisen in the context of the Ukraine conflict should not primarily be to boost Europe's military strength but instead to take diplomatic initiatives, both towards Russia and the United States.

The conflict in Ukraine is essentially a proxy war between the United States and Russia. This much has now been explicitly admitted by US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Compared to other proxy wars, such as the former war between North and South Vietnam, this conflict is even closer to a direct confrontation between Russia and America because the Ukrainian war operations are controlled by the United States, or NATO, both in terms of armaments and also largely in terms of command and control and information.

Talks between Russia and the US, which fortunately are now finally taking place, are working towards a lasting peace solution with the earlier 2022 Istanbul agreement as a starting point. If successful, hostilities in Ukraine will soon be over.

Unfortunately, instead of diplomacy, the European Union, and also in large majority this Chamber, is choosing what we believe to be a completely hopeless, prohibitively expensive and counterproductive military route that will increase, rather than ease, tensions on our continent.

Under the banner of ‘ReArm Europe’, the European Commission has announced initiatives to make €800 billion available within the European Union for defence purposes in the coming years. To this end, the European budgetary rules are being stretched to allow an increase in defence investment of 1.5% GDP per member state for 4 years, using the so-called escape clause. Member states would then thus be allowed to have a 4.5% budget deficit. This could generate around € 650 billion in additional national defence spending.

In addition, the European Commission is considering additional borrowing on the capital market on behalf of the EU for a total of € 150 billion and lending this on to member states. This can be done within budget rules by using the so-called headroom as security for these loans.

In this way, with a few more measures, the financial headroom would be created to continue helping Ukraine and build its own defence force and industry within Europe aimed at countering threats from Russia. An insane plan.

We can argue whether this mode of financing fits within current EU budget rules. It seems that, strictly speaking, it does. But it is obvious that it further increases the volume of EU funds and requires member states to stretch themselves financially even more than already to make it possible. This further weakens the EU's already shaky financial edifice. Many countries already in an unhealthy financial position will be put under greater pressure.    Particularly where the ‘loans for loans’ formula of 150 billion is concerned, it is ultimately the case that member states, through the EU, will be guaranteeing each other. 

Furthermore, it is clear that a sensible coherent spending of the € 800 billion will require European coordination and regulation, as the Prime Minister already hinted in his letter. Conditions will be attached to both national spending of the borrowed EU money, and also to approval in the application of national escape clauses. De facto, the EU Commission will have considerable control over the use of these funds. Although structured differently, this is still very reminiscent of the Covid Fund where the European Commission determines what national states can spend money on.

More power to the EU is what we want less of, Chairman.

Forum for Democracy strongly opposes these European defence plans.

But if it is going to happen anyway, we have to be prepared for it. That means as big a role as possible for Dutch industry in the possible building of the European defence apparatus. And as little say as possible for the EU in the spending of Dutch tax money.

Thank you

Text for a motion

Proposed March 18, 2025

The Chamber,

having heard the deliberations,

noting that efforts are underway at the EU level to strengthen European military capability;

whereas the said efforts will entail some degree of coordination and cooperation at the EU level;

whereas coordination by the EU could easily result in moves to create a European army;

states that in the organization of defence in the EU the sovereignty of the Member States must remain unaffected and that a European army, in whatever form, cannot be envisaged,

and moves on to the order of the day.

Ralk Dekker

For once, this FVD motion was carried by a majority of the House: