More EU support for defense investments

The EU Parliament has spoken out in favor of strengthening the European defense industry and technology. The adopted measures are part of the “ReArm Europe” plan and are intended to allow more EU funds from existing programs to be used for defense-related investments. Against the background of increasing geopolitical threats, the law is intended to support the European defense technological and industrial base (EDTIB) with funds from existing budgets. The plan follows the joint white paper "European defense - Readiness 2030", which aims to improve the EU's strategic autonomy and competitiveness in the defense sector. Specifically, no new financing instruments are to be created, but programs such as the Platform for Strategic Technologies for Europe (STEP), Horizon Europe, the European Defense Fund, “Digital Europe” and the Connecting Europe Facility are to be adapted. The aim is to close investment gaps and increase Europe's resilience and operational capability in a changed security policy environment. This includes, among other things, the promotion of defense and security technologies, the support of dual-use research (civil and military) and voluntary reallocation of unused EU funds by the Member States. At the same time, security, transparency and control requirements are to be tightened. Attention: The voting results shown on the right only reflect the voting behavior of the 96 German MEPs and not that of all 720 MEPs. Overall, the legislation was adopted by 519 votes in favour, 119 against and 25 abstentions. Of the German MEPs, 65 voted for and 25 against. There was one abstention from Sebastian Everding (The Left).

Vote breakdown