Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has strongly rejected a planned hike in the defence spending goal of NATO to 5% of GDP, describing the suggestion as “unreasonable” and “counterproductive.” His comments were made in a letter written to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in advance of the alliance’s next summit in The Hague, a report by The Guardian quoting El País said.
Sánchez explained that meeting alliance obligations does not have to involve such a sharp increase in spending and warned that it may put pressure on Spain’s economy. He had apparently stressed that Spain is absolutely dedicated to NATO’s collective defence but feels that it can be upheld without implementing drastic shifts in its finances. Sánchez said adopting the 5% GDP target would leave Spain with no choice but to impose taxes, cut public services, and postpone key green transition projects sacrifices his government is not prepared to make.
“We refuse to make those sacrifices,” Sanchez told Rutte, according to an account.
The plan to increase NATO’s defence spending target had been anticipated to be adopted unanimously. Spain’s resistance has now brought uncertainty into the process, and it might compel more talks among member states. A Spanish government official explained that Madrid will not veto other countries’ decisions but cannot approve the suggested level.
Today, Spain only devotes 1.3% of GDP to defence the lowest of all NATO members based on the most recent NATO figures. In April, Spain said it would raise this amount progressively to 2%, as with the current NATO commitment made at the 2014 Wales Summit.
Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE has also covered Sanchez’s stance, citing the intensifying debate within the NATO as economic considerations and security interests coincide in the face of demands for greater defence spending throughout the alliance.
