The European Union’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program has ignited a fierce institutional battle between the European Commission and the European Parliament, exposing deep fissures in the bloc’s governance structure. At the heart of the conflict lies a fundamental question: who holds the authority to shape Europe’s defense strategy in an era of escalating geopolitical tensions? The Commission’s reliance on Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), a clause designed for emergencies like pandemics or natural disasters, has drawn sharp criticism from Parliament, which accuses the executive of undermining democratic legitimacy. This clash not only highlights the tension between expedience and accountability but also raises concerns about Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s perceived overreach.

Commission’s Emergency Justification

The European Commission introduced SAFE in March 2025 as a cornerstone of its “Readiness 2030” strategy, aiming to bolster European defense industrial capacity amid fears of Russian aggression and uncertainty over U.S. military support. By invoking Article 122, the Commission bypassed the European Parliament’s legislative oversight, arguing that the program addresses an “existential challenge” requiring urgent action. Von der Leyen defended the move in a recent letter to Parliament President Roberta Metsola, stating that the “stark deterioration in the security context” justified bypassing standard procedures.

The Commission’s rationale hinges on the claim that SAFE is a........

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