5% GDP for defense? Spanish Prime Minister: It's tantamount to cuts for social purposes

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez opposed the letter to NATO Secretary General to increase expenses to 5 percent. GDP. According to the politician, this would be tantamount to cuts for social purposes, to which the socialist government does not want to agree.

“We do not want to vete up. We are not opposed to the other countries to set 5 percent, but we cannot commit to it,” Sanchez wrote in a letter cited on Thursday by the Spanish press.

As the politician emphasized, this level of expenditure would be “incompatible with our care state and our vision of the world.” It would mean “cuts in public services and social benefits for citizens, as well as reducing our involvement in ecological transformation and international cooperation for development.”

Sanchez called on Rutte to accept the “more flexible formula” at the upcoming peak of the Hague, which would actually exclude Spain from new commitments.

Members of the alliance, including the USA, have put pressure on Spain in recent months, whose expenses were far below the level of 2 % determined by NATO. GDP; In 2024 it was only 1.24 percent.

The Sanchez government originally planned to reach a level of 2 percent. Until 2029, but in recent months he has committed to make new investments to achieve this goal later this year. In recent weeks, however, he has signaled his negative position on the proposal to issue 5 % defense. GDP.

The NATO summit in the Hague will come from June 24-25. Rutte is to present on it to the Member States a proposal to allocate 5 percent. GDP for defense, including 3.5 percent for basic defense expenses and 1.5 percent for infrastructure and industrial investments related to security.

From Madrid Marcin Furdyna (PAP)

MRF/ MMS/