What if France stopped supporting a large European Union defence budget? Or defence eurobonds?
Legislation, in Brussels, is a result of the magic of compromise, followed by a vote. Compromises come after hours, weeks, and months of careful negotiations.
Each EU country does its best to see its interest represented. (After all, why not? Might as well try and get your way.)
To win, it’s best to have allies. Ideally, you need a blocking majority to show your club is prepared to shoot down a proposal and successfully argue for changes in the text. It is more difficult when you’re alone – or close to alone.
Unfortunately for the French, that is the case when negotiating defence industry-related funds and programmes. Even though Paris’ position is often exaggerated in public debates and minds, the French are indeed pushing the hardest for the strongest European preference – leaning against the use of common funds for foreign companies.
So far, it’s not going great for France.
France's latest move to get its way, rumour has it, is to threaten to give up support for a big defence cash pot in the next EU budget or for borrowing money via Eurobonds.
Money talks among the 27 are already difficult – and bonds already have a bad reputation in Germany.
Paris’ change in position would only add complications at a time when the Commission and EU countries say they want to take charge of their own defence, plan together, and look for money.
