Divisions Emerge within Italian Democratic Party on EU Rearmament Strategy
Key members of the Democratic Party express divergent views on the EU's defense policy and rearmament proposals.
The Italian Democratic Party (PD) has publicly split over the issue of EU defense policy during a recent voting session in the European Parliament.
The PD delegation supported the report on the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, as announced by delegation leader Nicola Zingaretti.
However, members of the party diverged in their stance regarding amendments that endorse the European Rearmament plan proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
On one hand, Zingaretti emphasized that while the PD would endorse the 2024 annual report on security and defense policy—which had previously been approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee in January—the party would firmly oppose a renewed arms race among the 27 EU member states.
Zingaretti articulated the PD’s position against the current rearmament proposals, asserting a need for significant changes to Von der Leyen’s approach.
Conversely, European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno and fellow Eurodeputy Giorgio Gori expressed satisfaction with their delegation's approval of the report, indicating their intention to support amendments concerning the White Paper on European Defence and the von der Leyen plan.
They contend these amendments represent necessary initial steps towards establishing a common European defense structure.
Marco Furfaro, a member of the PD’s national secretariat, supported the party's decision to reject amendments that favor rearmament, framing it as an action that serves to appease U.S. interests.
The resolution concerning the annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy was adopted with 399 votes in favor, 198 against, and 71 abstentions.
An amendment that welcomed the five-point ReArm Europe plan, proposed by von der Leyen on March 4, 2025, was also voted on but was conducted via a show of hands.
Furthermore, two PD MEPs, Marco Tarquinio and Cecilia Strada, defied the party directive by voting against the report on security and defense policy.
The internal divisions surfaced within a broader context of ongoing debates regarding defense spending and strategic priorities in Europe as geopolitical tensions persist.
The PD delegation supported the report on the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, as announced by delegation leader Nicola Zingaretti.
However, members of the party diverged in their stance regarding amendments that endorse the European Rearmament plan proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
On one hand, Zingaretti emphasized that while the PD would endorse the 2024 annual report on security and defense policy—which had previously been approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee in January—the party would firmly oppose a renewed arms race among the 27 EU member states.
Zingaretti articulated the PD’s position against the current rearmament proposals, asserting a need for significant changes to Von der Leyen’s approach.
Conversely, European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno and fellow Eurodeputy Giorgio Gori expressed satisfaction with their delegation's approval of the report, indicating their intention to support amendments concerning the White Paper on European Defence and the von der Leyen plan.
They contend these amendments represent necessary initial steps towards establishing a common European defense structure.
Marco Furfaro, a member of the PD’s national secretariat, supported the party's decision to reject amendments that favor rearmament, framing it as an action that serves to appease U.S. interests.
The resolution concerning the annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy was adopted with 399 votes in favor, 198 against, and 71 abstentions.
An amendment that welcomed the five-point ReArm Europe plan, proposed by von der Leyen on March 4, 2025, was also voted on but was conducted via a show of hands.
Furthermore, two PD MEPs, Marco Tarquinio and Cecilia Strada, defied the party directive by voting against the report on security and defense policy.
The internal divisions surfaced within a broader context of ongoing debates regarding defense spending and strategic priorities in Europe as geopolitical tensions persist.
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Translated by AI
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