Schüssel demands: Europe must act strongly and independently!

Schüssel demands: Europe must act strongly and independently!

Wolfgang Schüssel, the former Chancellor, recently said in an interview with the Press on Sunday urgently demanded that Europe wake up and become independent. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, he advocates for a “deterrent EU” while pointing to the challenges posed by US President Donald Trump's “America First” policy, Vladimir Putin's neo-imperialist ambitions and China's desire for world power.

Schüssel, who got to know Putin 25 years ago as an open and international politician, describes his move away from a pro-European stance as a gradual process. He sees relevant turning points in history, such as the Orange Revolution in Ukraine and the discussion about the country joining NATO. These developments have had a lasting impact on the relationship between Russia and the West, and Schüssel is convinced that it is time for Europe to formulate its own security policy strategies.

Danger from Russia and the role of the EU

In the “Oberösterreichische Nachrichten” Schüssel says that Ukraine must not lose the war against Russia. While he is cautious about the risk of the war in Ukraine spilling over into Central or Western Europe, he emphasizes the need for Europe to take responsibility for its own security. He criticizes the current dependence on the USA, which has 500 military installations and 80,000 soldiers stationed in Europe. Under President Biden, 20,000 soldiers have been added who are there specifically to secure the eastern flank against Russia.

Schüssel reiterates his support for greater support for Ukraine and a restructuring of the security structure in Europe. He complains that Austria's neutrality is being jeopardized by UN and EU mandates. This perspective illustrates Schüssel's belief that a historic return to a defense community in Europe is necessary in order to better address current threats.

The need for a rethink

In his review of political developments, Schüssel also self-critically notes misjudgments, such as the introduction of marriage for everyone. He also criticizes the Democratic Party in the USA for the loss of the working and middle classes, which he believes have been lost through “excessive wokism”. In this context, he highlights that Trump has gained almost monopoly control in the Republican Party.

Schüssel appeals to the European community to invest more in its own security policy and links this with the corresponding political will. The EU's common foreign and security policy aims to resolve conflicts through diplomacy and promote international consensus. These strategies are essential to consolidate Europe's role in an increasingly multipolar world and require the cooperation of all member states, as in the European Union is fixed.