Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez Rejects NATO’s 5% Defence Spending Target
In a bold move ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly rejected the alliance’s recent proposal urging member states to increase their defence budgets to 5% of GDP.
Describing the target as “not only unreasonable but also counterproductive,” Sánchez advocates for a more pragmatic approach that allows for flexibility—either by making the 5% benchmark optional or granting Spain a complete exemption.
This NATO initiative, championed by Secretary General Mark Rutte in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s persistent demands for heightened defence spending, aims to push members to commit 3.5% of GDP toward military expenditure and an additional 1.5% for broader security measures.
However, Sánchez’s letter to Rutte, which came to light on Thursday, cautions that such an ambitious target risks undermining Spain’s economic priorities and defense strategy.
Unlike countries such as Poland and the Baltic states, which have embraced substantial defence spending increases in light of regional security concerns, Spain emphasizes a balanced approach—highlighting the need to consider economic realities and domestic priorities.
Sánchez’s stance echoes sentiments from other Southern European nations wary of rigid spending quotas that may not align with their strategic outlook.
As NATO grapples with the challenge of collective security amid evolving geopolitical threats, Sánchez’s call for flexibility injects a critical debate into the alliance’s future direction—one that weighs ambition against pragmatism.
