Europe is preparing for historical rearmament against growing geopolitical threats. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenannounced an ambitious plan: mobilize until 800 billion euros for defense, To protect the continent from any external threat in the middle of Russia in Ukraine.
An NATOFor its part, it asks that military expenses exceed 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of each member country until 2029 and even point to 3%. An amount that does not seem to satisfy Donald Trumpthat asked the nations of the Alliance To reach 5%.
In this context, Spain is making its movement. On Tuesday, the government approved a transfer of 2,084 million euros for defense, A value for programs that are already underway, as explained by spokeswoman Pilar Alegría after the Council of Ministers. With extended budgets, the government insists on its commitment to reach 2% of GDP “as soon as possible”Even if you avoid establishing dates.
José Antonio RodríguezPSOE deputy and the spokesman for the group for the defense, recognized, in statements to ‘Euronews’, which is the time to invest in security. “It is a strategic moment, there is a real threat, which is approaching, and we have to be prepared to Do not repeat the mistakes of World War II.
Rodríguez not only refers to armament, but also the need to improve Cybersecurity in the face of hybrid attacksRemembering that Spain was the second most affected country in the world in terms of critical infrastructure last week.
“Healthy divergences” within the government’s coalition
However, the government’s coalition has some cracks.
While PSOE sees the increase as a Investment in Strategic Safety and AutonomyAdd does not agree. The Minister of Health, Mónica GarcíaHe recognized “healthy discrepancies” and observations on military reinforcement, although the voices within the coalition of Yolanda Díaz were to the point of pointing out a possible NATO swimming.
In other countries, such as Germany, there has been a greater consensus, even among conservative and progressive forces, when it comes to defending a greater military investment.
Alberto IbáñezDeputy for Summer, He told Euronews: “The debate is not how much to spend, but how. Europe already invests more than RussiaBut we need a foreign policy and common energy sovereignty instead of classic rearme. “Ibáñez criticized the European plan as” an obsolete income “and warned about the Dependence on the foreign weapons industryappealing to diplomacy.
In opposition, the Pages It supports military reinforcement, but criticizes the management of the Government of Pedro Sánchez. Carlos RojasPp spokesperson for defense, said it is necessary to increase military expenses “for our security and for European values, but The government does not have a plan and divides“Rojas is very critical of budget extension in Spain, stating that it generates a situation of unique legal uncertainty in Europe.
Or voxFor his years, he has been claiming more investment, focusing on national sovereignty, says the head of the delegation in Brussels, Jorge Buxadé.
“It is essential to protect our borders, especially those in North Africa.” Despite supporting European cooperation, rejects the prominence of Brussels in the rearmamentTaking into account that it is “the result of improvisation” and considers that it is possible to reach 5% of GDP in defense Cut in “Superfluos” expenses.
