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.
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.
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.