Rearmament is the wrong path

European policy continues to follow the logic of war. On March 4, 2025, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced a new era of rearmament and promised military spending of 800 billion euros. On the same day, the CDU/CSU and SPD in Germany announced the outcome of their exploratory talks: in addition to a civilian infrastructure package of a limited 500 billion euros, the old Bundestag is to vote on an amendment to the German Basic Law to exempt unlimited military investment from the debt brake. Great Britain is also making a large sum available for even more armaments, and the French President is campaigning for a European expansion of nuclear deterrence.

Rearmament undermines democracy and peace

While ending the war in Ukraine seems possible and arms control between the USA, Russia and China is on the cards, European governments in particular want to increase military spending, torpedoing promises of peace and disarmament. Giving the arsonists more military means (even nuclear weapons) makes it more difficult to deal with today's crises. Increased “readiness for war” could fall into the hands of radical right-wing governments in future elections. Unlimited spending on armaments does not increase our security but promotes the arms race and brings us closer to a world war. Those who arm themselves will eventually go to war. Pursuing the path of rearmament in Germany and Europe further undermines our endangered democracy and damages a sustainable peace.

Rearmament is destroying our future

There is no vision for Europe - beyond a peace of victory through further sacrifices of the Ukrainian and Russian people. The militarization of science and cuts in the environmental and social sectors are depriving the younger generation of prospects for a clean environment, good education, equal participation and fair working conditions. Rearmament is forcing climate change that is destroying our livelihoods and creating future debts that cannot be measured in economic terms.

The economically and geopolitically driven policy of confrontation belongs to the past. Non-violent responses to perceived threats have been and continue to be neglected and are not exhausted. We no longer need wars, additional money for armaments and certainly no nuclear bombs. We need all our resources for a good life for all. There is no second earth. Now there is one last chance for politics and diplomacy for a European peace union. Let us use it!

We oppose the unrestrained race of rearmament and war and stand for a fundamental change of policy in Germany and Europe. Since its foundation, Europe has once again the historic opportunity and duty to become an alliance for peace and the future. We are committed to prospects and solutions that are based on the logic of peace and sustainability.

We call on all people in Germany and in Europe to raise the voices against this race of rearmament and for a new peace architecture in Europe.

Initiators: NaturwissenschaftlerInnen Initiative "Verantwortung für Frieden und Zukunftsfähigkeit", Science4Peace

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