http://dx.doi.org/10.59704/38803a439845fb58 https://verfassungsblog.de/safeact-eu-defense/ Moving towards a SAFE Defense Policy in Europe - Emergency Powers Move into the Realm of Security and Defense Policy Leson, Mattis eng 2025-09-12 electronic resource text/html ddc:342 Defense EU Parliament European defense Europäisches Parlament | Brüssel Luxemburg (Stadt) Straßburg Pandemic emergency powers european security policy Europäisches Parlament | Brüssel Luxemburg (Stadt) Straßburg Verfassungsblog Verfassungsblog--2366-7044 CC BY-SA 4.0 Russia’s attack on Ukraine has presented Europe with new challenges regarding security. As a response, the EU adopted the so-called SAFE Regulation in 2025. It is based on Article 122 TFEU and is intended to accelerate efforts to achieve autonomous defense capability. By choosing this legal basis, the Commission continues a trend which begun in the pandemic and was reinforced during the energy crisis: relying on emergency competences without parliamentary involvement. But whether this exceptional provision can legitimize the profound changes facing the Union is doubtful.