US EditionCzech Lawmakers Approve 2026 Budget Below NATO Defense Spending Target
The budget allocates nearly $7.4 billion, about 1.7% of GDP, below NATO's 2% target despite U.S. and presidential pressure, reflecting coalition priorities.
- On Wednesday, Czech Republic lawmakers approved a 2026 budget allocating $7.4 billion to the Defense Ministry, or just over 1.7% of GDP, falling short of NATO's 2% target despite United States pressure.
- Defending the budget, Prime Minister Andrej Babia claimed the allocation was "the maximum possible" and prioritized "the health of our citizens" over higher defense spending amid inherited public finance constraints.
- U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Merrick warned last week that Czechia risks becoming one of the lowest spenders in the alliance, stating that failing to honor commitments "impacts the entire alliance."
- President Petr Pavel, a retired army general, urged lawmakers to increase the budget, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stating there is "not a single justifiable reason" for defense spending to stagnate.
- Babiš's governing coalition, including the Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the Motorists, steers the country away from supporting Ukraine, while NATO expects members to invest 3.5% of GDP on core defense by 2035.
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Overseas media outlets are drawing attention to the lower Czech defense spending in the newly approved budget of the government of Andrej Babiš (ANO), saying that the projected spending falls short of the earlier agreement of NATO countries. Many of them, including the websites of the Washington Post and ABC, picked up an AP report with the headline "Czechs under populist leader Babiš will not meet NATO defense spending target."
The former executive wanted to raise military spending to 3% of GDP, but the new government has slowed down the plan and now leaves it at 1.7%.
Czech 2026 budget passes but defence outlays fall short of NATO pledge
Czech lawmakers approved the 2026 budget, keeping defence at 1.7% of GDP despite NATO and President Petr Pavel’s calls to reach the targets outlined by the US following a push from the Trump administration to aim for 5% of total spending.
Czech Lawmakers Approve Defense Budget, Falling Short of NATO Target
The Czech Republic's parliament has approved a 2026 budget that does not meet NATO's defense spending target, despite pressures from the US and President Petr Pavel. The decision by lawmakers, influenced by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, allocates 1.7% of GDP for defense, below the required 2%.
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