2 percent Portuguese. Lisbon reaches for “creative accounting”

The plan to raise defense expenditure prepared by the Portuguese government. GDP is based on creative accounting – the weekly “Expresso”, who was referring to the Document of the Cabinet of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.

According to the Lisbon newspaper, the government plan takes into account the achievement of expenses of 2 percent. GDP for the army as early as 2025, but as the Montenegro office adds, he is considering taking into account some of the funds already invested in the past.

The government of the Prime Minister Montenegro, according to “Expresso”, “wants to win the war by 2 % of GDP expenditure on the army without launching many euros.”

“To this end, he analyzes the creative accounting of other NATO allies to find the most economical form before the peak in the Hague scheduled for June 24 and 25”, wrote Lisbon's newspaper, claiming that Belgium and Italy takes similar actions.

Expresso ”claims that Portugal authorities in the past have already included their expenditure on defense, the funds that guided Ukraine fighting with Russian aggression.

June 7 this year. Prime Minister Montenegro announced that his government intends to increase defense expenses this year to 2 percent. GDP without the need to accept the correction of the current budget or restrictions in social policy expenditure.

The proposal of the head of the center -right office was supported by President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, adding that the defense expenses should also be taken into account for civil defense costs and critical infrastructure.

The position of the premiere of Portugal regarding the increase in expenses for the army has changed clearly in recent months. On January 27 this year. Montenegro during a meeting in Lisbon with NATO Secretary Marek Rutte declared that Portugal would achieve expenses of 2 percent. GDP for defense only in 2029. They currently reach 1.5 percent.

From Lisbon Marcin Zatyka (PAP)

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