NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently demanded the changeover to war economy, in the EU the nuclear armament of the Union and Austria undertook to pay 1.17 billion annually to Ukraine. These are just the top of the current military advances that are supposed to drive the war course. Regardless of neutrality, the Austrian population is drawn into the war plans of the rulers. How can this be countered?
Austria as part of NATO and EU's war plans
In a "joint motion for decision-making" by the EU Parliament, the Austrian MPs agreed to finance 0.25 percent of GDP (around 1.17 billion euros) for war in Ukraine annually at the end of February 2024. In addition, military support from Ukraine and the further upgrade of Austria was decided. The original document states that "That all Member States of the EU and all allies in NATO should support Ukraine militarily with at least 0.25 % of their GDP annually (...)" (1). NATO and EU go hand in hand as far as the enforcement of the war interests of the "western" imperialists concern - and Austria goes with it! Matthew Karnitschnig, journalist of the US policy magazine politico, formulated the NATO plans for Austria as follows: “Austria is a country of 'Mr. Karl' that serves all sides to commit to western ideals, while in silence it is looking for paths to continue to benefit from the friendly relationships with Moscow. (…) Today Austrian neutrality is little more than a convenient excuse to avoid responsibility (…) Austria is a free -rider of its neighbors and the USA (…) to this day. Unless the outside world forces it, either by shaping or raw violence. ” (2) Explanations like this let a shower pull over our backs and give an indication of what will bloom us as an EU member and "NATO partner". The ruling Austria, who largely participate in this course, see it differently. The Austrian Army Brigadier Robert Brieger, currently chairman of the EU military committee, even finds the debate about atomic armament of the EU "Legitim" (3).
Conversion to war economy?!
The military upgrade in the EU is aimed at "war economy". In the above-mentioned EU "decision-making application" it is stated that defense production is significantly increased and that arms production must be given priority for Ukraine. In addition, the application for a resolution asks the EU and its member states to “European military cooperation in industry and at the level of the armed forces [to] Improve and the EU to a stronger and more powerful security guarantee [to] make that is interoperable and complementary with the NATO "
Use upgrading and social cuts go hand in hand
While military expenses are to increase by 85 percent in the period 2022 to 2027, which is plus 2.3 billion euros, for example, health expenditure decreases by 52 percent and 2.9 billion in the same period. The savings in the healthcare system are also a result of the EU fiscal package and the EU Commission. Nick Witney, a former head of the EU armaments office, explained some time ago why the EU interferes with such questions of national budget policy: "Few MPs want to justify their electorate why their taxes for combat helicopters should be used instead of hospitals (...) Military operations cost money and risk human life (...) Only an iron political will, underpowered, can ensure that this can ensure that this Strategic orientation against short -term inconvenience. " (5) These "short -term inconvenience" are now tough reality and the signs are on further deterioration. Social mining, dismantling of democratic rights and upgrade are the program of the hour that the masses are imposed by the rulers. This program requires a decisive rejection, resistance and struggle - against NATO, EU and the ruling Austria!
Sources:
(1) komintern.at
(2) Politico.eu
(3) industriemagazin.at
(4) komintern.at
(5) solidarwerkstatt.at
Image sources:
Bild_001 - Christian Lue – unsplash
Bild_022 - Clker-Free-Vector-Images – pixabay