Eulogy Delivered by Marc De Vos in Honor of Ursula von der Leyen
The European Union (EU) is embarking on a significant geopolitical transformation under the leadership of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This evolution, reminiscent of the era of Jacques Delors, is centred on strategic autonomy, defence strengthening, economic security, and digital sovereignty.
In response to growing global instability and security threats, particularly following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the EU is moving away from values-based diplomacy towards realpolitik and economic security. This shift is evident in the EU's updated digital policy strategy, which now prioritises competitiveness, securing supply chains, and protecting critical technologies like AI, semiconductors, cloud computing, and quantum.
The EU is also emphasising the need for member states to 'arm themselves' and take strategic responsibility for their own defence. This includes increased defence spending, coordinated procurement, and the development of technologies linked to cybersecurity, missile defence, drones, and troop mobility. The European Commission has proposed initiatives such as the SAFE fund (€150 billion) for defence projects and advocates for exceptional budgetary flexibility to allow member states to increase defence spending up to 1.5% of GDP annually from 2025 to 2028.
The new Strategic Agenda (2024-2029) highlights the EU's focus on resilience amid "growing instability, strategic competition, and security threats." This agenda prioritises protecting EU citizens, values, and democratic institutions while enhancing defence policy and economic robustness.
Germany, traditionally cautious about military engagements and defence spending, is playing a pivotal role in this transformation. Under von der Leyen's tenure and the EU's strategic pivot, Germany is increasingly taking on greater responsibility in European defence cooperation. The success of initiatives such as increased defence budgets, joint procurement, and technological development depends significantly on Germany's political will to lift defence spending and contribute to the EU-wide push for strategic autonomy.
However, if Germany does not lead the next phase of geopolitical EU integration, it risks sowing political estrangement that could ultimately make this next phase impossible. The struggle for a strong geopolitical union, a common home for European nation-states in the world order of the 21st century, is ongoing. The key question is whether the EU will be able to re-establish a foundation for a common geopolitical European action or if individual countries and loose alliances will set the course.
As the indispensable nation for European stability, Germany must leave the history of the 20th century behind and become geopolitical itself, leading in the creation of a post-national security order. The new geopolitical phase requires European countries to stand together for a strong and geopolitically united Europe as the best possible solution to defend their respective national interests.
In a world marked by global upheaval and a dismantling or hollowing out of the world order built after World War II and the Cold War, the EU has fortified its economic base for geopolitics and developed the instruments of geo-economic statecraft. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "We must all hang together, or we shall surely hang separately." The new geopolitical phase demands more leadership, more urgency, and more action, now.
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-digital-era_en [2] https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/eu-defence-fund-aims-to-boost-military-cooperation-and-technology/ [3] https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/eu-defence-fund-aims-to-boost-military-cooperation-and-technology/ [4] https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2020-2024_en
- The EU, under the leadership of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is shifting its approach to global instability and security threats, moving towards realpolitik and economic security in its digital policy strategy.
- In the new Strategic Agenda (2024-2029), the EU prioritizes enhancing defence policy, economic robustness, and protecting EU citizens, values, and democratic institutions as a response to growing geopolitical conflicts and competition.
- The indispensable nation for European stability, Germany, is playing a crucial role in this transformation, with the success of initiatives like increased defence budgets and joint procurement heavily dependent on Germany's political will.
- As Benjamin Franklin once said, "We must all hang together, or we shall surely hang separately." In the new geopolitical phase, the EU is fortifying its economic base for geopolitics and developing instruments of geo-economic statecraft, demanding more leadership, urgency, and action from key players like Germany.
