Spain is digging in its heels as NATO allies push for higher defense spending targets, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown at this month’s summit in The Hague. 🇪🇸 The country, which spent just 1.9% of GDP on defense in 2024 – the lowest among NATO members – faces pressure to quadruple its military budget under a proposed 5% benchmark backed by the U.S. and Germany.
Defense Minister Margarita Robles insists Spain will meet its current 2% commitment but calls the 5% goal "unrealistic," citing political gridlock and sky-high public debt (103.5% of GDP). 💼 The left-wing coalition government, already reeling from a corruption scandal, risks collapse if it pushes through €10B+ in new military funding opposed by its junior partner Sumar.
Analysts say Spain’s geographic distance from Russia compared to Eastern Europe reduces perceived urgency. 🗺️ "We don’t feel threatened," says Madrid defense expert Felix Arteaga, noting that NATO’s evolving definition of "defense spending" (now including cybersecurity and border security) adds complexity to the debate.
With Poland and Germany leading the charge for higher spending, all eyes will be on whether NATO can maintain unity as Spain fights for flexibility. 🤝 The summit kicks off June 24 – will this be the alliance’s Barbenheimer moment of clashing priorities?
