Defence and Dignity: Europe’s Next Test

Let’s face it: Europe has been hitting the snooze button on defence for far too long. We’ve relied on the United States to keep us safe, trusting that Washington would always have our back. But that era is over — or at least dangerously uncertain. With Trump back on the horizon and global tensions rising, the EU has no choice but to grow up and take its own security seriously.

Yes, Europe needs to spend more on defence. Absolutely. But it has to be done the right way — the European way. That means investing inside our own borders, using our single market to build stronger industries, and creating skilled jobs for Europeans. Every euro we spend on defence should circulate within Europe, not line the pockets of American arms manufacturers.

And let’s be blunt: Brussels’ bureaucracy can’t keep standing in the way. We can’t spend years in committee meetings while others are testing hypersonic missiles. If Europe is serious about defending itself, it needs to cut the red tape, speed up approvals, and make it easier for companies — big and small — to innovate and build across borders.

But here’s the catch. More defence spending doesn’t mean we can just start raiding our social funds. Europe’s strength doesn’t come only from tanks or fighter jets; it comes from the stability and solidarity of our societies. As AI reshapes work and our ageing populations strain pensions and healthcare, we need to protect our social systems, not weaken them.

So where does the money come from? Simple: from those who can afford it. If Europe wants to invest in its defence, it’s time for the wealthiest to pay their fair share. A modest increase in wealth taxation could fund security without eroding the social safety net that defines us.

At the same time, Europe should sweeten the deal by creating a truly investment-friendly environment — a place where innovation moves fast, startups thrive, and doing business across borders isn’t a bureaucratic nightmare. Think of it as the carrot and the stick: fair taxation paired with a dynamic, opportunity-driven market.

Europe can — and must — do both: protect itself militarily and socially. That’s what real sovereignty looks like. A Europe that can defend its people while still investing in their future will not just survive in this new world — it will lead it.

It’s time to stop hesitating, cut the red tape, and act like the geopolitical power we’re meant to be.