European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities – annual report 2026

Tabled by Séverine Werbrouck

22. Removed: Stresses that, within the framework of Added: Recalls that national defence policy and the determination of defence expenditure remain the sovereign prerogative of the Member States, in accordance with Articles 4(2), 24 and 42 of the Treaty on European Union; stresses that the European Semester, Removed: defence spending must be planned in a coordinated, efficient, transparent and European manner to maximise societal benefits; underlines that security-related investment should include societal resilience, including infrastructure with high civilian benefits, social protection, civic education, democratic resilience and protection against disinformation, recognising that social stability and democratic trust are important components of Europe’s security architecture and must be reflected in the Semester’s analysis of long-term reform and investment needs; Added: as an instrument of economic policy coordination under Articles 121 and 148 TFEU, must not be used to assess, coordinate or steer national defence planning or military expenditure; rejects any attempt to integrate defence priorities into social or fiscal surveillance mechanisms;

Wording as published by the EP, in English. PE782.984v01-00