Former Prime Minister and Maltese MEP Alfred said German Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to contest the growing perception that too many decisions in the EU have come to depend on German say-so, when reacting to the German Chancellor’s address on the future of Europe at the European Parliament.  The German Chancellor discussed the future of integration with MEPs recalling that Europe must act united when facing global challenges. Merkel  proposed the establishment of a European army and a budget for euro area and also raised the issue of face migratory pressure, which, she highlighted, is a European problem.

The Maltese MEP said Chancellor Merkel was as lucid as usual in her presentation, but failed to clarify the basis of her priorities for Europe’s future. Dr Sant said that among the three areas the German Chancellor listed wherein to develop greater European unity, came military defence and security.

“But which military threats are now looming over Europe? And if they exist, why did she during her terms in office, allow German military spending to remain well below the levels of her European partners? Indeed, is there uncontested support among European citizens for a military coalition that would be funded through EU budgetary resources? And is building a so-called European defence capability the right way to forge unity in Europe and combat a fading enthusiasm for the European project? I doubt it. Would it not be preferable for the EU to concentrate on coordinating security measures within the Union to cover terrorism, immigration and surveillance over organised crime?”

The Maltese MEP also refered to Merkel’s comments on the problems of immigration.

“But were not these aggravated on a European level by the decisions the German Chancellor singlehandedly and without consultation took to open borders in 2015?” remarked the Maltese MEP.