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Spain Rejects 5% Defence Spending Target: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected NATO‘s proposal to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, calling it “unreasonable and counterproductive.”
Alternative Approach: Sánchez wants a more flexible formula, perhaps making the target optional or allowing Spain to opt out.
Nato Proposal Details: The proposal,suggested by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte,involves 3.5% for defence and 1.5% for broader security spending.
Spain’s Concerns: Sánchez argues the 5% target would harm Spain’s welfare state and hinder EU security efforts. He asserts the right of each government to decide its spending priorities.
* Current Spending: Spain currently spends around 1.3% of its GDP on defence, below the existing NATO target of 2%. They’ve proposed a target of 2.
