Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is facing calls to clarify the financing for increased defense spending, despite securing support from various political parties for higher NATO contributions. This comes after Frederiksen expressed her readiness to support a NATO goal of each country spending 3.5 percent of gross national product on defense and 1.5 percent on other security challenges.

Several parties outside the government agree with the Prime Minister’s message.

Alex Ahrendtsen, defense spokesman for the Danish People’s Party, stated that defense needs to be rebuilt within five to ten years, which will require significant funding.

Carsten Bach, defense spokesman for the Liberal Alliance, highlighted the need for the government to specify how it intends to finance the increased defense spending.

The Liberal Alliance has proposed financing the increase through budgetary leeway, reform of DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), and a reduction of the unemployment benefit period. The Danish People’s Party suggests cutting state bureaucracy as a source of funding.

Frederiksen made her statement upon arrival at a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague at the end of June.