US EditionSpain Rejects NATO’s Anticipated 5% Defense Spending Proposal as 'Unreasonable'
SPAIN, JUN 20 – Spain opposes NATO’s 5% GDP defense spending target citing economic and political challenges while pledging a €10.5 billion increase to meet the existing 2% goal, its lowest in the alliance.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected NATO’s proposed 5% GDP defense spending target in a letter to Secretary-General Mark Rutte ahead of the June 24-25 summit in The Hague.
- This stance follows Spain's ongoing challenges meeting NATO’s current 2% spending goal after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine raised allied security concerns requiring increased defense commitments.
- Sanchez argued that rushing to 5% would harm EU defense autonomy, contradict welfare priorities, and widen Spain’s fiscal difficulties amid a fragile coalition and a corruption scandal.
- Spain spent an estimated 1.28% of GDP on defense in 2024, making it the lowest NATO spender, while allies like Sweden and the Netherlands plan to meet the 5% target before the summit.
- Spain’s refusal to commit to the new target risks straining NATO unity, though Spanish officials emphasize solidarity and say they will not veto summit decisions despite requesting flexible spending terms.
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189 Articles
189 Articles
As the SER chain has advanced, Sánchez accepts the declaration of the summit in The Hague after the cancellation of the obligation to increase spending on Defense.
·Madrid, Spain
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The Spanish left mobilizes against NATO. And Prime Minister Sánchez shoots Trump: "The time of command and obedience is over.
·Frankfurt, Germany
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Spain's opposition to its commitment to a 5% investment in defence has raised doubts about an understanding of this objective, which will involve an unprecedented budget in the sector.
·Portugal
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Before the NATO summit in The Hague, the nervousness increases because Spain opposes the new spending target – with a confusing argument.
·Zürich, Switzerland
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Total News Sources189
Leaning Left35Leaning Right23Center24Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
43% Left
L 43%
C 29%
R 28%
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