Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has broken ranks with other NATO leaders as he refused to commit to spending 5 percent of GDP on defense. It’s a welcome move, and a rare voice of dissent from Europe’s rush to remilitarize.
There is no need to cut welfare spending for the sake of defense. Europe can afford both, and must. Once again, Mr. Sanchez doesn’t appear to talk for his country and Europe but rather pursuing interests of others.
Well, in Germany the story is told the other way around: Now that we are investing in more defence, we have to cut social welfare.
It’s the on going debate in German politics and media. Now-chancellor Merz focused his whole campaign in 2024 around „no debt“ (Schuldenbremse, schwarze Null). The first thing he does after becoming chancellor in 2025 is a 500 billion euro package (because of Ukraine, which is fair — but was completely against the campaign proposal) only for defence and infrastructure. In turn the coalition now argues that they cannot maintain „Bürgergeld“ (social welfare) or invest into education. People have to „work more“ because of the debt.
Well, in Germany the story is told the other way around: Now that we are investing in more defence, we have to cut social welfare.
Do you have something that fosters that opinion?
For now it doesn’t look like Germany would cut social welfare for military expenditure, the actual budget plans don’t say that.
Just to add to it: This is by no means my own opinion. It just shows the conservative playbook.
It’s the on going debate in German politics and media. Now-chancellor Merz focused his whole campaign in 2024 around „no debt“ (Schuldenbremse, schwarze Null). The first thing he does after becoming chancellor in 2025 is a 500 billion euro package (because of Ukraine, which is fair — but was completely against the campaign proposal) only for defence and infrastructure. In turn the coalition now argues that they cannot maintain „Bürgergeld“ (social welfare) or invest into education. People have to „work more“ because of the debt.