“We have several Member States that would be extremely interested in additional loans,” a spokesperson said
Several EU Member States are ready to request additional funding under the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence loan instrument if Italy reduces its planned participation, Deputy Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said last week.
The announcement comes as Italy is reportedly considering reducing its SAFE loan request from €15 billion to less than €5 billion due to domestic political pressure against military expenditure in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government.
If Italy does shrink the amount it is requesting, the Commission said that will free up funding for other EU countries.
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