Spain rejects NATO's 5% defense spending target as unreasonable
- Spain has formally declined NATO's proposal for 5% GDP defense spending, labeling it as unreasonable.
- The Spanish government is committed to raising its defense budget to meet a previous target of 2% of GDP by 2025.
- This decision highlights the conflicting priorities within NATO as member states adjust their defense strategies amid rising geopolitical tensions.
In a significant diplomatic move, Spain has decided to reject NATO's proposal to allocate 5% of its GDP for defense expenditures. This announcement was made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in a letter to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, indicating that such a commitment would be deemed 'unreasonable.' The NATO summit in The Hague was set to discuss the proposal, which Spain believes would not align with its current financial strategies and welfare obligations. Most NATO allies are leaning toward endorsing this higher expenditure, emphasizing the need for robust defense mechanisms amid growing geopolitical tensions. Sánchez highlighted that Spain's military budget was already planned to increase to meet NATO's previous commitment to spend 2% of GDP by 2025, aided by an additional allocation of €10.5 billion. However, the proposed increase to 5% would place undue pressure on Spain's public services and economic stability, according to his statements. As the lowest spender in NATO, Spain currently spends less than 2% of its GDP on defense, a situation that Sánchez suggested does not adequately reflect the country’s defense needs or strategic commitments. Calls for a more flexible defense spending formula surfaced, with Sánchez proposing alternatives that could make the targets optional or allow Spain to be exempt from specific requirements. This approach presents a divergence from the strategy adopted by U.S. allies, who, influenced by previous commitments made to President Donald Trump, are preparing to significantly increase their military expenditures. Similar commitments have already been made by countries like Poland and the Baltic states, reinforcing the pressure on Spain as it navigates its defense spending plans. The aftermath of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has catalyzed a realignment of NATO defense priorities, pushing for increased military investment among member states. In light of this, the emphasis on greater contributions—initially set at 2% and now suggested to be raised to 5% for many members—points to the escalating necessity of collective defense readiness against potential threats. Though Spain expresses its commitment to NATO, it remains firm in its stance against what it perceives as unrealistic financial demands while seeking to uphold the integrity of its welfare state.