Spain to go all out on defence spending
Radical change of course in Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wants to increase the national defence budget by ten billion euros this year to meet the Nato target of two percent of GDP for defence spending. The rearmament programme is to be implemented without the approval of his left-wing coalition partners and parliament. The latter in particular draws criticism.
Parliament must have its say
El Mundo calls for parliamentary involvement:
“In the current geopolitical context it was inevitable that Spain - the Nato member that spends the least on defence - would finally fulfil the commitment it made in 2014. Our country could not continue to isolate itself. ... The government will now unilaterally make defence the second largest item on the state budget after pensions. ... But the approval of a multi-million-euro plan of this magnitude, which will shape Spain for decades to come, cannot depend on the decision of a single person. Nor even of a single party. Parliament must have its say, and the government must present its draft budget, as provided for in the constitution.”
Sánchez lacks majority backing
El País also criticises the unilateral nature of the prime minister's move:
“When a country faces such a major shift in its defence strategy it must treat its citizens like adults and discuss the new situation in a public, transparent debate. Fortunately, the Spanish people will be able to participate in this debate. But the plan will not be reinforced by a parliamentary vote, which would give it more credibility. The fact is that the government is alone on this key decision. The left is against rearmament, and confidence in the PP has been destroyed, making any agreement on matters of state like this one virtually impossible.”