March 7, 2025 (EIRNS)—EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the EU Council she wants to bypass the European Parliament with her “Rearm Europe” plan. Von der Leyen (who had been Germany’s defense minister 2005-2019) said she wants to use Article 122 of the European Treaties, which states that “without prejudice to any other procedure provided for in the Treaties, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may decide, in a spirit of solidarity between Member States, upon measures appropriate to the economic situation, in particular if serious difficulties arise in the supply of certain products, in particular in the energy sector.” The article adds that “where a Member State is in difficulties or is seriously threatened with serious difficulties caused by natural disasters or exceptional occurrences beyond its control, the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, may, under certain conditions, grant Union financial assistance to the Member State concerned. The President of the Council shall inform the European Parliament of the decision taken.”
On March 4, addressing the conference of faction leaders at the European Parliament, von der Leyen said: “You don’t like Article 122, but it is the fastest tool provided by the Treaties. The intention is not to bypass Parliament but it is an existential emergency.”
The decision sparked protests from some European groups, such as Italy’s 5 Star Movement, which released a note of condemnation: “Ursula von der Leyen wants to bypass the European Parliament and pass her rearmament plan using a codicil in the Treaties. She is afraid of democracy, but democracy will sweep her away. The time has come to vote no confidence in this Commission that no longer represents anyone except the interests of the arms lobbies.”
The Italian Lega is also against it. Lega economic spokesman Alberto Bagnai tweeted: “Are we crazy?!? Rearming without even the semblance of democratic legitimacy? Was this woman born in Austria?”