Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has informed NATO chief Mark Rutte that Spain cannot commit to the alliance’s proposed defense spending target of 5% of GDP, creating a potential obstacle for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. This stance directly contradicts the summit’s main goal of increasing the NATO standard for defense spending among member states.

Sánchez argues that committing to the 5% standard would be unreasonable and counterproductive for Spain, leading to a decline in economic growth, higher national debt, inflationary pressure, and reduced investment in other sectors. He suggests a more flexible formula where the 5% standard is maintained for countries that desire it.

The Spanish Prime Minister also states that the proposed standard is incompatible with Spain’s welfare state and worldview, as reaching 5% would necessitate raising taxes for the middle class, cutting public services, and slowing down the climate transition. While other countries may be willing to make such sacrifices, Spain chooses not to.

Sánchez believes Spain can fulfill its NATO obligations by spending 2.1% of its GDP on defense, a target he hopes to approach by the end of the year. In early 2025, Spain’s defense spending was 1.3% of GDP, the lowest among NATO members.

This move comes as Sánchez faces a political crisis within Spain, with his government hanging by a thread due to a bribery scandal. His coalition partners, including the anti-militarist Sumar party, have previously criticized the NATO standard, and Sánchez may be aiming to appease them to prolong his government’s lifespan.