zlacker

The European Union has, in practice, lacked genuine free movement of people across internal borders for some time (I went through complete and very aggressive border control entering France via airplane three years ago). Schengen arrangements have been curtailed in Germany[^1]. Part of the challenge is that Europeans appear out of touch with rapidly changing realities (I say this as a European). Additionally, some argue that the European Parliament is operating under an unofficial coup[^2].

The rearmament initiative is particularly concerning. Over the past three years, communities in Italy, Spain, Greece, and Germany have been devastated by flooding, wildfires, etc. Rather than prioritizing investment in resilient infrastructure, leaders are channeling resources into rearmament to confront Russia and China (or so they say - since they are acting as clowns anyway no one really pays attention). My concern is that these weapons may ultimately be used by Europeans against one another; It happened twice already.

[^1]: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/temporary-border-controls-to...

[^2]: https://www.politico.eu/article/ursula-von-der-leyen-europe-...

>>atmosx+(OP)
Italy is spending the 5% target on building a bridge to Sicily. They should have done that years ago, it would have transformed the Island's economy and dealt a large blow to the Mafia. Hope other countries can find ways to spend the 5% on critical infrastructure.

>>atmosx+(OP)
Greeks borrowing money to buy completely unnecessary weapons from Germany was probably the main precipitating factor leading up to the Greek debt crisis.

>>Stevvo+7y
Really? I happen to be Sicilian from my mother’s side :-) - what makes you think this time will happen?

What usually is that they spend a few hundred millions in consultancy and plans. And then off we go for the next round :-)

>>pessim+BQ
Greece buys guns from several countries primarily for “protection” in case of war. There is a lot of corruption happening in these deals, but that’s not unique to Greece. Greece is in a very tough spot compared to other EU countries (ie Belgium) and hence everything is a bit more complicated.