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With the US scaling back its support for Ukraine, strengthening EU defence has become a priority for EU countries. At Thursday’s EU summit, traditionally frugal Germany led calls to revise fiscal rules to allow for increased defence spending.
How did Germany’s shifting approach to defence expenditure influence discussions among EU leaders at yesterday’s European Council meeting? To gain insight, Radio Schuman spoke with Jan Diesteldorf, Brussels correspondent for Süddeutsche Zeitung.After decades of minimal military spending, Germany has made a significant shift to enhance its defence capabilities, aligning with the EU’s broader efforts spurred by the withdrawal of US support for Ukraine. Earlier this month, Germany’s incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, broke a long-standing political taboo – particularly among conservatives – by proposing a coalition plan to increase defence investments by revising Germany’s stalwart debt brake.At European level, Germany is now leading calls for Brussels to amend recently agreed fiscal rules to allow for greater defence spending – pushing for measures that go beyond proposals set forth by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.Radio Schuman also brings you today’s Brussels agenda items and new data showing which countries in Europe are battling with the worst drug problems.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas.
