Venezuela: How Europe could respond to the dilemma

We should not have to choose between celebrating the overthrow of a dictator like Maduro or the collapse of the international order.

But this is precisely the impossible dilemma that the US has presented us with through its intervention in Venezuela. From Sánchez in Spain, who signed a statement warning the US together with several South American governments, to Meloni, who declared the intervention legitimate, reactions in Europe have varied, culminating in a statement by Von der Leyen that was remarkably lacking in political significance. Ironically, this situation shows how the US's new national security strategy exploits internal divisions within the EU to weaken us, a goal that has been explicitly stated.

However, we can choose not to remain inactive in the face of these events. Even given the EU Commission's inability to act, Member States could establish a European constituent assembly – an EU 2.0 – whose representatives would be democratically and directly elected by citizens. They could also take steps to create new supranational alliances to put pressure on authoritarian leaders like Trump and hold them accountable for their actions – possibly abandoning the moral superiority and double standards that have alienated the Global South.

Or even, without wanting to go that far immediately, EU states could finally decide tomorrow to activate Articles 42 and 46 of the Treaties, laying the foundations for a common defence under the supervision of the Parliament. They could also activate Article 311 and lay the foundations for a common tax system by building up their own economic resources, which would have the dual advantage of stopping the financial losses caused by tax evasion by large multinational companies and supporting citizens who are tired of having to choose between financing wars and making a living.

In the face of a concrete threat such as a military attack, those who do not change are doomed to failure. The EU has one last chance to reshape the future. Volt sees the only solution to such a problem in the European countries moving forward together and standing united. Let's seize the opportunity now!

Article by Francesca Romana D'Antuono, Co-President of Volt Europa

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