Michel is talking the EU into "war mode"
A new, worrying narrative is spreading in Brussels and beyond
Shortly before the European elections, EU Council President Michel has changed the narrative. The head of the former Peace Union is now calling for preparations for war. Almost all major EU parties follow suit.
In order to have peace, Michel believes that Europe must prepare for war. Europe must strengthen its defence capabilities and switch to a "war economy" mode in response to the threat posed by Russia, he said.
"If the EU does not react properly and does not provide Ukraine with sufficient support to stop Russia, we will be next. We must therefore be ready for defence and switch to a 'war economy' mode," writes Michel.
"If we want peace, we have to prepare for war," explains the liberal Belgian. Unfortunately, he himself does nothing for peace. He also makes several glaring errors in his thinking.
First of all, there is no logical connection between the EU's "correct response" and the fate of Ukraine. Ukraine can lose even if the EU sends more weapons and ammunition - because it is running out of soldiers or because the Ukrainians are tired of fighting.
Second, it is a blatant misconception that "we are next" to be attacked by Russia. This could only be true if Russia had corresponding plans and NATO was no longer a deterrent. As far as we know, neither is the case.
It is therefore an ideological construct, a new “narrative”. Michel is talking the EU into a war mode - just a few weeks before the European elections in June. Normally, the citizens should now decide.
But they cannot vote Michel out of office - after some back and forth, he now wants to stay on until the end of his term in autumn. His successor will be chosen by the 27 heads of state and government, not by the voters.
Moreover, all the major EU party families are following the warlike narrative. Even the traffic light parties in the European Parliament support the demand to send "Taurus" cruise missiles to Ukraine. Where is the choice?