New Blog Post by Ludvig Broomé and Dr. Björn Fägersten: “Europeans want more EU defence cooperation – governments are holding back”
The GEO-POWER-EU Researchers Ludvig Broomé and Dr. Björn from The Swedish Institute of International Affairs has published a new blog post, “Europeans want more EU defence cooperation – governments are holding back,” examining the widening gap between public demand for stronger EU defence action and member states’ reluctance to empower EU institutions.
Drawing on findings from the GEO-POWER-EU deliverable “EU defence cooperation under geopolitical stress: roles, hurdles and opportunities”, the authors highlight how geopolitical tensions, Russia’s aggression, and uncertainty in transatlantic relations have increased citizens’ support for a more unified European security role. Despite that, many governments remain reluctant to empower EU institutions. The authors recommend practical steps for closing the expectation gap, including prioritising realistic cooperation areas, establishing a dedicated Defence Ministers’ Council, linking defence to economic security, improving intelligence coordination, and communicating clearly with citizens.
Read the full analysis here.
*This blog post includes insights from the GEO-POWER-EU Deliverable, funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme (Grant No. 10113292). The content reflects the author’s views and not necessarily those of the European Commission.
*Featured image: Lowy Institute, The Interpreter