The Party for the Animals has narrowly approved a motion calling an increase in defense spending a “necessary evil” in uncertain times. This decision came at a party congress in Amersfoort, where members debated the party’s stance on the outgoing cabinet’s proposal to significantly increase spending to meet NATO standards.

Despite the approval, the party leader, Esther Ouwehand, has only been granted a conditional license to continue her defense policy. Further member consultations will take place before the elections on October 29 to solidify the party’s position for the upcoming election campaign.

The issue is sensitive within the party, which has a traditionally pacifist stance and has historically voted against the defense budget. Ouwehand’s recent consideration of plans to make Europe more militarily resilient has drawn heavy internal criticism. Critics include party founder Marianne Thieme, the youth organization Pink!, the Senate faction, and various local branches.

Thieme criticized Ouwehand’s shift, calling it a “militaristic turn” that borders on voter deception. Despite the criticism, a narrow majority of 51 percent of the members present supported the motion.

Ouwehand has stated that her support for defense does not equate to endorsing the cabinet’s proposed increase to meet the NATO standard, which she characterized as a “Trump standard, dictated by an autocrat.” She will only agree to increased defense spending if investments are also made in environmental protection and nature conservation.

The decision is relevant to the outgoing cabinet, as Prime Minister Schoof and Minister of Defense Brekelmans seek support in the House of Representatives for their NATO proposal. While support appears to be present in principle, disagreements are emerging about the funding source. The GreenLeft-PvdA faction has indicated that it will only agree if the increase does not come at the expense of the welfare state. The additional defense spending will require finding billions of euros within the budget in the coming years.