Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called for the establishment of a combined European Union army, emphasizing its crucial role in peacekeeping and conflict prevention. In an interview with La Stampa, Tajani, leader of the Forza Italia party, asserted that closer European defense cooperation is a priority for his party. He highlighted the necessity of a European military to support an effective European foreign policy in a world marked by powerful players like the United States, China, India, and Russia, with crises spanning the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific.
The push for a European military comes amid increased focus on defense cooperation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While efforts have primarily concentrated on NATO expansion, Tajani emphasized the need for a European military to safeguard citizens in the face of geopolitical challenges.
Tajani also proposed streamlining the EU’s leadership by having a single presidency instead of the current structure involving a European Council president and a European Commission president. This suggestion aligns with his vision for a more unified and efficient European leadership.
As leader of Forza Italia, Tajani took over following the passing of Silvio Berlusconi last year. The upcoming European Parliament elections in June will serve as a gauge of the party’s popularity and its ability to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape after the loss of its charismatic former leader. Tajani’s call for an EU army reflects a broader conversation within the European Union about its role in global security and the need for greater military autonomy.
