German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s demand that European NATO members increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP. During his election campaign in Bielefeld, Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to NATO’s current 2% target, highlighting the financial strain a 5% goal would place on the economy.
Trump’s call for increased military budgets has sparked debate across Europe. However, Scholz emphasized that such a steep rise would require over €200 billion annually, an amount significantly exceeding Germany’s federal budget of under €500 billion.
| “The 5% target would necessitate massive tax increases or drastic cuts to essential public services,” Scholz stated.
He reassured voters that Germany would maintain its 2% GDP defense spending, ensuring a balance between security obligations and economic sustainability.
Defense Spending Becomes a Key Election Issue
As Germany’s election campaign intensifies, defense spending remains a focal point of political discourse. Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) support the 2% NATO target, while the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, advocate for increased military expenditure. However, Merz has not explicitly endorsed a 3% or 5% target, instead emphasizing national security as the priority.
Despite political debate, the German electorate remains hesitant about increased defense spending, with economic concerns dominating voter sentiment. Many Germans fear that higher military budgets could lead to higher taxes or cuts in public services.
The NATO spending debate is expected to remain a key issue in Germany’s upcoming elections, shaping discussions on military commitments and economic priorities.
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