Weber Urges European Army, Warns of AfD Control Over Bundeswehr

Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People's Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament, has renewed his call for a unified European army, criticizing the current fragmentation of European defense policy. Weber argues that billions in taxpayer money are being wasted due to inefficiencies in procurement and the isolation of national defense markets.

"We need a single market for defense goods, common export rules, and European command structures in defense, meaning a European army," Weber stated in an interview with Welt am Sonntag. He believes such integration is essential to prevent the squandering of resources and to bolster the continent's security capabilities.

Weber expressed significant concern over the potential rise of nationalist parties, specifically mentioning the AfD in Germany. He warned that if the AfD were to gain control of the Bundeswehr, it could lead to a "catastrophe" and potentially destabilize the European Union. "Nobody can rule out that the AfD will control the Bundeswehr at some point in the future," he stated, adding that the party's platform, which he characterized as "pure nationalism," is alarming.

Drawing a parallel to the potential impact of Marine Le Pen's party in France, Weber suggested that a German military under AfD influence could "tear apart our peace community, the EU." He urged a revival of former Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's vision for a European army, aiming to ensure that no army in Europe could threaten its neighbors or refuse mutual support during crises. Weber highlighted that many Europeans fear a heavily armed German army controlled by the AfD, emphasizing the need for a collective European defense framework.