Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002088/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolaos Anadiotis (NI)
In its proposal to the Council, COM(2025) 122 final, the European Commission proposed the SAFE mechanism to boost investment in the European defence industry. First of all, according to this proposal, the participation of non-EU countries that threaten or fail to recognise Member States is not excluded in the funding of investment projects. What is more, invoking Article 122 TFEU on procedure is contrary to the principles of institutional balance:
— It circumvents, on the one hand, the Council’s basic rule of unanimity in the voting of common security and defence policy matters, and, on the other hand, the European Parliament as co-legislator with the power of scrutiny (Articles 13, 14 and 36 TEU), while depriving the Member States of their right of veto in foreign policy matters.
— This article concerns economic crises or natural disasters and therefore cannot replace the specific legal bases of Title V TEU or Regulation (EU) 2021/697 on the European Defence Fund.
In view of the above, can the Commission answer the following:
- 1.What is the legal basis for the application of Article 122 TFEU in military/defence matters?
- 2.How is the role of Parliament guaranteed in accordance with Articles 13, 14 and 36 TEU?
- 3.Does it intend to review the procedure in order ensure due compliance?
Submitted: 23.5.2025