Upgrade, yes – but not at any price

The peace project Europe has allowed us to believe in eternal peace in Europe over eight decades. But at the latest since February 24, 2022, the day on which Russia attacked Ukraine, we know that peace is not simply there forever. Peace must be defended. Unfortunately also with weapons.

We have gradually reached this knowledge over the years in an increasingly hostile international environment. We stand by our basic values ​​and adapt our policy to reality. We are fighting to be able to express this basic values ​​freely in the future.

Freedom is the new question of peace

From the ruins of two world wars, Europe has built its current prosperity based on a peaceful order. The European project was and is a promise that the right of the stronger, as Luxembourg also had to experience it in 1914 and 1940. Putin’s war of aggression is fundamentally jeopardizing this certainty. It is therefore about the fundamental for Europe today: freedom. About self -determination. To determine the right and will of a people to democratically about themselves – without fear of bombs and without external dictation. Therefore, Europe cannot afford to put their heads in the sand now.

Anyone who is reflexive against any upgrade in this situation fails to recognize the danger. Or worse: he leaves the field to those who want to enforce their agenda by force. If democracies cannot defend themselves, they are overrun. There is no peace without freedom. And unfortunately freedom can no longer be defended with good intentions alone.

Defense yes – but clever, European and with measure

But that doesn’t mean: armor at all costs. We Greens in particular are that warn of blind armament for years. The fact that suddenly many European countries hectic billion -dollar packages are suddenly lacing up as if security alone is a question of the budget is too short and fails to recognize the core of the problem of European defense architecture: Europe does not work closely enough on defense issues.

What it needs is a European defense strategy that is efficient, coordinated and strategically thought. Not a triple development of weapons systems. No national solo courses. But a real cooperation in which we create more security with less money. We Greens have already followed this path when many others still thought that the topic was irrelevant.

The fact that the former Defense Minister François Bausch campaigned so vehemently for cross -border cooperation was no coincidence. Projects such as the planned Belgian-Luxemburg Battalion and the advancement of our participation in multinational programs such as the A400M witness to provide important military skills across borders.

We are a peace party – at a time full of changes

At our last party congress, we deliberately addressed peace as a party in order to discuss together with all party members. This is part of our DNA. We were pleased that we can discuss and now represent a common position with a very large majority. We stand by our responsibility and certainty that we not only have to preach our values, we also have to defend them.

This is responsible pacifism against the background of the current world situation.

No peace without social cohesion and environmental protection

At the same time, we also say: security is more than military deterrence. Security also means maintaining social peace. To enable generation justice. Fighting climate change – because it is the greatest security policy challenge of the coming decades.

We must not make the armor expenditure a new golden calf, which everything else is sacrificed. We need a balance because it would be cynical to want to secure peace with one hand militarily, while the other hand allows social division, poverty or ecological disasters. True security must be thought holistically.

A European moment – also for Luxembourg

Luxembourg may be small – but especially at a time when the EU rediscover its common strength, our country can precede with attitude and foresight. We can give impulses for a defense policy that not only fights against, but also for something: for democracy. For the rule of law. For the preservation of an open, free society.

Similar debates are underway in Germany, France and other neighboring countries. We Greens are open to this struggle – and we answer it with a clear yes to a new peace policy that not only dreams of peace but actively protects.

Not only defense is a prerequisite for peace

It is not a contradiction to be a peace party and campaign for a clever armament. It is an expression of responsibility. Peace is not an eternally guaranteed state, but a goal that needs work, courage – and sometimes even deterrence.

So we say: Yes, to a strong European defense. Yes, for security – but without forgetting the social and ecological tasks of our time. Because we must not forget that security cannot exist if justice and environmental protection are neglected. Defending democracy and limits must not become a priority. Because as a society it brings us nothing to defend borders and democracy, but to sacrifice our planet and our livelihood.

If you want to receive security, you must also be able to defend them: socially, ecologically and militarily.