Despite repeated declarations of historic turning points, deep structural reforms to the European project remain elusive. While defense spending rises are welcome, EU governments must also pursue systemic changes to Europe’s political and security architecture.

The EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy has increasingly sidelined democracy-related commitments in favor of security priorities. As geopolitical challenges mount, the union must restore CSDP as a meaningful part of its democracy-security toolbox.

Germany’s next government has a chance to strengthen Europe’s security and its ability to navigate an unpredictable world order. To do so, it must reverse the country’s economic decline and provide strategic leadership to the EU.