Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518643
13 SURVEY maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 APRIL 2024 JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt THE Maltese are not averse to the European Union creating its own army, a MaltaToday survey reveals. But in a classic example of having the cake and eating it, they are firmly opposed to Mal- ta participating in it. And are even less likely to join military action in solidarity with anoth- er EU member state attacked by an external power. The survey shows that 42% of Maltese voters favour the creation of an EU army set up to defend member states from possible attack by outsiders, while 36% are opposed. But only 38% would like Malta to participate in such a military structure and 55% also oppose Malta joining other member states in providing military as- sistance to an EU country at- tacked by an outside power. This suggests that participat- ing in military action along- side other member states with whom we already share a com- mon foreign and security poli- cy remains a red line not to be crossed by a majority of Mal- tese. The survey suggests that on European defence issues, the Labour Party is in tune with public sentiment. It can ex- plain why over the past weeks the PL has tried to milk po- litical capital by associating the Nationalist Party with the hawkish stance of the Europe- an People's Party. Currently, the EU does not have an army and defence re- mains exclusively a matter for member states. But in the wake of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Vladimir Putin's veiled threats against EU mem- ber states which once formed part of the Soviet Union or the eastern bloc, and the growing fear of Donald Trump's return to the White House, the EU is taking steps to boost defence cooperation and spending. There is also growing consensus among the main political groups, including the Socialists and Dem- ocrats, for the creation of a Euro- pean Defence Union. But among the main political families it is the European Peo- ple's Party which comes closest to the idea of a collective EU defence force by proposing the integration of European forces "in the land, sea, cyber and air" which would also have "rapid deployment ca- pacity." PAGES 14 - 15 > • 42% support creation of EU army • 36% against EU army • 50% against Malta participating in an EU army • 55% against Maltese participation in military action to assist other member states attacked by an external power MaltaToday Survey Maltese want an EU army but do not want to be part of it