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NATO Summit | Spain wants to break ranks

NATO Summit | Spain wants to break ranks
With a checkbook? Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on his way to a photo with Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has made it unmistakably clear that no special treatment will be given at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands. "NATO does not recognize any exceptions," he said. He added, specifying who he is primarily addressing: "NATO is absolutely convinced that Spain must spend 3.5 percent." This is the compromise formula Rutte had previously agreed upon with US President Donald Trump. In addition to the 3.5 percent of economic output (GDP) for armaments, each country is to spend an additional 1.5 percent on infrastructure measures, cybersecurity, and the fight against terrorism. Trump had even demanded at least five percent for armaments alone.

Trump with verbal attacks against Spain

Because Spain had opposed the idea, Trump targeted the social democratic government in Madrid before the summit, even though other countries like Slovakia had also questioned the five percent target. "NATO is going to have to deal with Spain," Trump declared last week. "There is a problem with Spain," he told journalists on Air Force One on his way to the Netherlands. The country is "very unfair to the rest." He published a list of defense spending by NATO countries. Spain ranks last, with just 1.3 percent. However, this figure is no longer correct, as Spain almost doubled its defense spending in the spring by €10.5 billion to 2.1 percent of economic output, despite strong criticism. Social democratic Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wants to set spending on "rearmament" at this level. He does not like the term coined by the EU Commission. Sánchez would rather "talk about the need to improve European security and defense capabilities."

On Sunday, Sánchez claimed to have "reached a historic agreement with NATO." This agreement, he said, allows the country "to remain a key member of the Alliance and contribute in line with its capabilities, without having to increase its defense spending or reach five percent of GDP." In a speech, he declared that Spain would spend "no more and no less" than 2.1 percent of GDP. This is out of the question, and Rutte's letter to Sánchez, in which he attempted to reassure left-wing supporters, does not support this. Rutte had already announced a "great success" to his client before Trump's departure for the Netherlands. "Europe will pay in a big way, as it should, and it will be your victory," Rutte reported to Washington. They had managed to get "everyone to sign the five percent target." This is evident from messenger messages that Rutte sent to Trump and which were published by the US President .

Headwinds for Sánchez also in Spain

In fact, in a brief reply to Sánchez, Rutte had only granted Spain "flexibility" in achieving its military capability targets. Sánchez tweeted the letter to X, although X did not support his announcements . The flexibility would only be available until 2029 at best. Then, with a view to achieving the five percent target, "the course and balance of spending" would be reviewed in light of the updated NATO targets, Rutte continued.

Sánchez had previously written to the NATO Secretary General, stating that the commitment to the five percent target was "not only inappropriate, but also counterproductive." It was "incompatible with our welfare state and our worldview." He thus echoed the criticism that had already rejected the previous increase to just over two percent.

Sánchez pushed through the increase in defense spending in the spring without a vote in parliament or the adoption of a budget, as he had failed to secure a majority. Supporters of the minority government viewed this move as a "declaration of war." The left-wing party Podemos called Sánchez's announcements a "deception." Other supporters believe the Sánchez government is hanging by a thread. As "nd" previously reported, parts of the left-wing coalition partner Sumar are also threatening to leave the government if defense spending continues to rise. Some supporters want to leave NATO anyway and are also calling for the closure of US bases in the country. Sánchez is facing headwinds not only within NATO.

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