(ANSA) – ROME, MAR 6 – Elly Schlein, the leader of the largest member of the opposition, the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), said on Thursday that she opposed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s ‘ReArm plan’ and would work to change the proposals on the table.
Schlein was speaking from Brussels ahead of a meeting of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) of which the PD is a member.
“We confirm our criticism against the proposals advanced by von der Leyen and we will work, we are here at the summit to change these proposals to make them go in the direction we are requesting”, Schlein told the Start program broadcast by SkyTg24. The PD leader went on to say that “we are in favour of a common defence and against the rearmament of the 27 countries” of the European Union, adding that “we oppose this plan for promoting national defence expenditure without producing a common defence”.
She added that using resources from cohesion funds would also be a “huge mistake”.
The European Commission on Tuesday suggested to borrow up to 150 billion euros to lend to EU governments to finance a rearmament plan prompted by Russia’s war in Ukraine and fears that Europe might no longer be able to lean on US protection.
The announcement came a day after US President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that she could mobilise up to 800 billion euros for European defence.
EU leaders are holding initial talks on the proposals on the table at an extraordinary summit on defence and Ukraine taking place on Thursday in Brussels. (ANSA).
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Schlein was speaking from Brussels ahead of a meeting of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) of which the PD is a member.
“We confirm our criticism against the proposals advanced by von der Leyen and we will work, we are here at the summit to change these proposals to make them go in the direction we are requesting”, Schlein told the Start program broadcast by SkyTg24. The PD leader went on to say that “we are in favour of a common defence and against the rearmament of the 27 countries” of the European Union, adding that “we oppose this plan for promoting national defence expenditure without producing a common defence”.
She added that using resources from cohesion funds would also be a “huge mistake”.
The European Commission on Tuesday suggested to borrow up to 150 billion euros to lend to EU governments to finance a rearmament plan prompted by Russia’s war in Ukraine and fears that Europe might no longer be able to lean on US protection.
The announcement came a day after US President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that she could mobilise up to 800 billion euros for European defence.
EU leaders are holding initial talks on the proposals on the table at an extraordinary summit on defence and Ukraine taking place on Thursday in Brussels. (ANSA).
Read article…
