Europe must prepare for a land war, demands Robert Habeck and wants to ramp up arms production. “If in doubt, we don’t risk anything if we do it,” said Habeck.
According to Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Germany and Europe must arm themselves in view of the changed world situation. “Europe has to do its own homework when it comes to defense capability. We disarmed after 1990. We were one of the most well-armed countries in Europe,” said the Green politician on Wednesday evening at the “Europe 2024” conference in Berlin.
At that time, an army was only considered necessary for “military police operations” abroad. “But we are not prepared for the fact that land war has suddenly returned again. And that’s what we have to do.” The United States could no longer be relied upon to foot the bill or provide military materials.
“This will have a price”
Habeck spoke out in favor of ramping up arms production, and operational scenarios for national defense would also have to be reactivated. This applies regardless of whether Donald Trump wins the next American presidential election. “If in doubt, we don’t risk anything if we do it,” said Habeck. But: “We risk an enormous amount if we rest on our laurels that we don’t do it.”
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Quelle: t-online
When asked whether more armaments meant that the federal government would have to make savings elsewhere, Habeck said: “That’s not necessarily what it means.” Many technical innovations in everyday life emerged from military research. Military production also affects economic performance. “But once they’re built, there they are: the tanks or the missiles or the cyber security things.” It is hoped that military goods would only be used for training. “And yet we need them. And that will have a price. We have to be clear about that.”
Habeck advocates higher national debt
However, the Economics Minister admitted that in times of tight finances and a lack of workers, “competitive situations” could arise. The capital stock at European banks is smaller than at American financial institutions, which therefore also finance larger projects. There is also a certain risk aversion in Europe. As the population ages, the available workforce also decreases.
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Habeck also spoke out in favor of a slightly higher national debt. “It makes no difference to the public sector’s capital raising whether we have 64 or 63 percent.” As a large country with strong economic performance, Germany doesn’t need that much money to restart production and support Ukraine, for example. “It must be possible to create a certain dynamic somehow.”
At the same time, Habeck opposed tax increases. Now it is necessary for people to spend money. “Because we have to get people to invest again, to consume, to have confidence in the future and then save less and spend more.”
