The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced plans to allocate 800 billion euros for the “rearmament of Europe”, which is expected to benefit the defense industry. This comes after she previously allocated billions for a Pfizer vaccine that has not been validated and the emails exchanged with the company remain secret.
During a press conference, von der Leyen presented her plan, but no questions were allowed. It is unclear how the funds will be distributed, with some speculating that companies like Rheinmetall AG or Diehl Group may benefit the most.
The plan includes a relaxation of debt rules and incentives for increased defense spending, with a focus on military aid for Ukraine. However, critics argue that the plan does not address the root causes of poverty and conflict and instead perpetuates a cycle of violence.
According to the United Nations and a recent needs analysis by “Save the Children”, nearly 75% of people in Ukraine are struggling to make ends meet, with many families unable to afford basic necessities like food, clothing and home repairs.
Instead of working towards peace, EU leaders are planning to form a “coalition of the willing” to intensify the war against Russia, similar to the “coalition of the willing” that supported the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, which is still ongoing.
Von der Leyen stated, “We must rearm Europe”, citing the need for the EU to be able to defend itself in the face of global challenges. However, critics argue that the plan is driven by the interests of the defense industry, rather than a genuine desire for peace and security.
The article concludes by questioning the role of the media in perpetuating fear and misinformation and encouraging readers to seek out alternative sources of information.