I’ve noticed that in both Belgium and The Netherlands there has been an increase in war talk lately, saying how we need more military personnel and that we need to be wary of Russia. I’ve seen some British articles about it too.
Now, I hope it is purely coincidental otherwise I’d have to get worried about EU+UK being complete idiots and preparing for war.
I’m not an EU comrade but I wanna comment to help boost as I am super curious about this topic. I especially want to hear from Portuguese comrades about what’s currently going on down there with regards to your question.
media is busy with the upcoming elections here (Portugal) but tbh I don’t think I’ve heard the “defense” narrative being pushed ever, maybe some talk once in a blue moon about bringing back obligatory conscription but other than that I think it’s too much of a small country and quite peripheral for that talk to gain traction
also there aren’t many pockets interested in - or capable of getting it, really - “defense” money, but the defense budget increased in 2023 I’m sure, some RRF money thrown in there as well
on the other hand I’ve never heard talk about dismantling the very strategic American base in Azores, we’re still part of NATO (founding member!) and whoever holds the belief that we shouldn’t be is ridiculed, even though we joined during our fascist era
I believe the common conception about “defense” here is: no more, no less
I see, so the Portuguese channel I have access to is standard. I only have the one so I’m glad I’m not missing out on anything (except the language barrier). I honestly couldn’t imagine Portugal succeeding in the military sect even if CHEGA wins so I’m glad I was right to think that. Unfortunate that there’s still a base is the Açores, though.
Portugal makes me so sad, my family is from there and things could’ve been so good but alas… at least they’re not itching for war like the other EU states… hopefully one day they’ll be free from NATO.
I am Portuguese. Most people seem to support Ukraine (as expected), but honestly I don’t think anyone wants to fight a war. We’re already in a tough position as is, and I doubt anyone in their right minds would want to fight a war right now.
That’s sort of the vibe I was getting, that no one there wants to go to war, which makes sense. Based on what I know about Portuguese history going to war would be a veery bad move, but that knowledge has never stopped governments from doing it anyway. I can’t really understand the news very well and my Vavó doesn’t understand certain political terms to translate, but does CHEGA say or imply anything? I know I’ve been worried about them for a while (far-right rise is an unfortunate common trend in the EU right now)…
Chega is more concerned with appealing to cops rather than military, they’re not so much about “defense” as they are about “security”. As you said historically the country is not equipped for war but the fascists loved their state police and they wouldn’t mind having it again
Hm that makes sense. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think I heard something about Salazar being “admired” by CHEGA, if thats the case it makes sense why they wouldn’t be interested n the military considering they were the ones (including the non-military communists) that overthrew the Salazar regime.
I think I remember seeing police officer protests in Portugal too, though I may be misremembering due to the language barrier (I just remember a few guys protesting Costa and I think they were cops).
Anyway I’m hoping for the best in Portugal ❤️