Shifting the EPP Left, Manfred Weber Would Take Europe into War

Pro-war statements from the President of the European People's Party are a frequent occurrence. He has repeatedly declared his unwavering support for the Russia-Ukraine war in Hungary's neighborhood. European responsibility, joint nuclear weapons and unified military action: this is the vision of Manfred Weber, who is steering the People's Party to the left.

Manfred Weber, President of the European People's Party, stands in front of the polling station after casting his vote (Photo: DPA Picture-Alliance/AFP/Armin Weigel)

According to Mr Weber, the European dimension of nuclear defense must be extended.

"But until this is realistic, we must accept Macron's offer and consider how France's nuclear weapons may be embedded in European structures," he said.

And in another interview, he emphasized that regardless of who is elected as the next US President, Europe must be able to stand on its own in terms of foreign policy, and it must be able to defend itself independently.

The leader of the European People's Party, who is pushing the EPP to the left, also underlined that, besides the nuclear deterrence, Europe must be strong as a whole, it must turn into some sort of war-time industry. Putin only understands force, he argued.

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Therefore, Ukraine should be reinforced as much as possible, Mr Wber told German public media.

We should supply Ukraine with enough weapons not only to avoid defeat, but also to enable them to secure victory.

Mr Weber, who has not changed his pro-war stance, keeps repeating his position almost religiously, at every possible forum:

"This is our war, too. Putin must not win this war."

Earlier, Mr Weber called for joint arms and ammmunition production, and then he urged the transfer of heavy tanks and modern weapons systems.

"It is becoming clear: we need - even though this is not an easy word - some type of war-time economy in the EU to guarantee stability and security. EU member states need to increase their weapons and ammunition production capacities as swiftly as possible."

He called on his own country, Germany, to provide Ukraine with state-of-the-art weapons.

However, weapons are worth nothing without soldiers wielding them, so Mr Weber reintroduced  a proposal he had previously rejected. Known as the so-called Weber Plan, the idea of introducing a mandatory, Europe-wide military service for men and women first emerged as a proposal by the Junge Union in 2017.

He told the Berliner Morgenpost about a defence community, an idea that's already been put forward by the continent's leading powers:

"Today, the idea is: let's take joint responsibility in Ukraine and in the world."

Manfred Weber defines himself as a representative of the democratic world. On one occasion he said

With Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Russia and North Korea, a new axis of evil has been realized, while China is playing its own game. The democratic world stands against all this.

Mr Weber, who would indirectly make European citizens shoulder the costs of the Ukraine war, already talked about reconstruction in March.

"Why should others pay for Russian crimes?" he asked.

"If it is possible under international law to seize frozen Russian assets, the EU should do it. If not, at least the interest should be drained and used for reconstruction. Putin must pay," he added.

The pro-war president of the European People's Party, also known for not rejecting mass illegal migration besides his belligerent views, would be glad to punish Hungary, because - according to the communications director of the co-ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrat (KDNP) party alliance - Hungarians say "no" to war, "no" to immigration and "no" to the LGBTQ propaganda.

Cover photo: Manfred Weber, President of the European People's Party, stands in front of the polling station after casting his vote (Photo: DPA Picture-Alliance/AFP/Armin Weigel)