List leaders PS and AD support the issuance of joint debt to finance European defense in the current geopolitical context, while Chega and IL oppose any mechanism that involves increasing taxes.
Sebastian Bugalho, head of the AD list (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) for the European elections, emphasizes that his electoral platform advocates “the creation of so-called “defense bonds”, which are nothing more than a joint debt”, similarly , which has been done to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The goal would be to “cover war and defense costs without overburdening the European Union’s multi-year budget,” he suggests, given that debt issuance would also be a way to “finally materialize” the creation of a “single market for defense services.” “.
In response to a questionnaire sent by Lusa to the heads of the list of candidates for the June 9 elections, Marta Temido, number one on the PS list, argues that the use of debt issuance should be “implemented in a structural way in the European Union to solve a variety of common problems” such as housing, reindustrialization, and the ecological and digital transition.
This model, he admits, can also be “seen in the common security and defense policy, which today is an inevitable priority for the European Union, given the current geopolitical context.”
Temido states that he recognizes that traditionally the defense sector is an area of sovereignty for member states, but in his view, “cooperation in this area is now inevitable and necessary” and “greater integration of the sector” needs to be encouraged. between countries.
For Livre, joint debt issuance is an important tool for putting the common policy into practice and “a step that must be taken into account even though it may provide consistent support for the efforts of the Ukrainian people to exercise their right to protection” from Russia.
“There is still a long way to go,” says Livre leader Francisco Pauperio, saying it will require “greater democratization of institutions and, in particular, preparation of the European Parliament to guarantee transparency in the management of funds.”
The head of the IL list, Cotrim de Figueiredo, states that he is “biased against issuing debt as it seems to imply the existence of European taxes.”
Regarding this candidacy, the first step is for NATO member states to “ensure that their commitment to allocate 2% of GDP to defense is met.”
PAN’s Pedro Fidalgo expresses “serious reservations” about joint debt issuance as it “compromises future generations.” As an alternative, he proposes “a contribution in the form of excess profits from the war industry to compensate for environmental damage” and provide “humanitarian support to the population” affected by the war.
Chega agrees that the European Union must look for “innovative solutions” both in terms of military personnel and equipment, but opposes such solutions being based “solely on the concept of increasing debt.”
“Chega MEPs will never agree to new taxes or any form of increase in the tax burden, direct or indirect,” responded Tangier Correa, head of the list.
For BU’s side, Katharina Martins believes the debate on European defense “has been the opposite of what it should be”, arguing that there is a lot of talk about war and little about peace.
BE considers unacceptable the idea of “using Ukraine as a pretext to finance the German arms industry, the same one that supplies weapons to Netanyahu.” [primeiro-ministro de Israel]”.
Opposing militarism and the “arms race,” João Oliveira, head of the CDU list (PCP/PEV/IL), opposes the issuance of joint debt to finance European defense, warning that it is “a mechanism that is ultimately repaid by the countries themselves.”
“The so-called war economy” is “great news for the arms multinationals, but it is a nightmare for the people,” he criticizes.