Rising anxiety and frustration about the future of the European Union (EU) have been evident for a while now. The bloc is grappling with multiple, intersecting crises: a cost-of-living crisis, a housing crisis, a migration crisis, sluggish economic growth, and most critically, a political crisis. These challenges are compounded by the increasing influence of the far right, which is gaining traction in polls across various EU nations and threatening the union’s fragile cohesion and commitment to liberal values.
Recently, Austria’s far-right Freedom Party secured 30% of the vote in its national elections. While the party may be excluded from the government formation process for now, far-right factions have gained a foothold in 9 out of the 27 EU member countries, either governing or holding influence over ruling coalitions. On the international stage, the ongoing war in Ukraine remains one of the EU’s most significant challenges, showing no signs of resolution as European and US military aid continues to flow. Meanwhile, climate change casts a long shadow, fueling increasingly destructive natural disasters.
Rather than addressing the underlying causes of these crises—rooted in the neoliberal policies the EU has adopted—European leaders have focused on militaristic responses, seemingly hoping that the prospect of conflict will distract citizens from their grievances. Over the past two years, rhetoric from EU leaders has emphasized that Russia poses the greatest threat to European security, with the solution framed as defeating Russia through escalation in Ukraine.
European weapons continue to be sent to Ukraine, and now, some leaders, including outgoing EU foreign chief Josep Borrell, are pushing for Ukraine to be allowed to use long-range missiles to strike targets within Russian territory. On September 19, the European Parliament even passed a non-binding resolution advocating for this course of action. Russia has issued multiple warnings about the risks of such escalation and recently revised its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons.
While European leaders increase arms supplies to Ukraine, they also urge their own nations to boost defense spending in preparation for a potential war with Russia. Andrius Kubilius, the nominee for the newly created role of EU defense commissioner, believes the EU should transform into a “war-weapons storehouse” to deter Moscow. The idea of a “war economy” is also being promoted, suggesting that increased military production could somehow revive Europe’s struggling economy.
In September, economist Mario Draghi, former president of the European Central Bank and former Italian prime minister, released a report titled “The Future of European Competitiveness.” This report has been praised as a step toward greater economic integration within the EU. Draghi emphasized that while peace remains the EU’s primary objective, rising security threats require the union to invest heavily in its arms industry.
European leaders seem to be embracing the Latin adage, Si vis pacem, para bellum—”If you want peace, prepare for war.” However, the presence of nuclear weapons has drastically changed the war-peace equation, especially when a nuclear-armed state like Russia is involved. Even if European leaders are more talk than action, their rhetoric and ambiguity create a dangerous environment that could lead to unintended military incidents with severe consequences.
This constant focus on war and militarization distracts from the EU’s many internal crises and their neoliberal roots. Despite its claims to champion human rights, democracy, and equality, the EU’s economic policies prioritize corporate profits over the welfare of its citizens. As a result, social safety nets are shrinking, precarious gig economy jobs are becoming more common, and the cost of essentials like food, housing, and utilities is soaring. The EU’s trade policies, meanwhile, are exacerbating economic difficulties in developing countries, driving increased migration to Europe.
The EU’s neoliberal foundation also explains its failure to implement a just green transition without burdening ordinary citizens. Militarization and the creation of a large military-industrial complex won’t solve these deep-rooted issues. Instead, the EU must overhaul its political, social, climate, and economic strategies, focusing on social values, participatory democracy, welfare, sustainable growth, peace, and cooperation. It may be time to explore a new form of socialism to replace the current neoliberal framework and uplift all of Europe.