German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal for NATO members to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP, standing firm on Germany’s two percent commitment.
Scholz Criticizes Five Percent Proposal as Unrealistic
During a campaign stop in Bielefeld, Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed US President-elect Donald Trump’s call for NATO members to raise defence spending to five percent of GDP. Scholz firmly rejected the proposal, citing its financial impracticality.
“Five percent would exceed €200 billion annually, nearly half of our federal budget,” Scholz explained. He warned that achieving this target would require massive tax increases or deep cuts to vital services. Scholz reaffirmed his commitment to NATO’s two percent target, calling it a balanced approach.
Opposition Pushes for Increased Defence Funding
Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU and Scholz’s main opponent, supports boosting defence spending but avoided specifying a target. “It’s not about the percentage; it’s about ensuring our defence readiness,” Merz stated.
Despite leading in polls, the CDU’s defence policy clashes with the preferences of many German voters, creating a potential campaign hurdle.
Election Campaigns Highlight Political Divides
Scholz kicked off his election campaign in Bielefeld, with over 30 events planned before the February 23 vote. The event was briefly interrupted by protesters criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza, but security swiftly removed them.
The CDU currently leads polls with 30 percent, followed by the far-right AfD at 20 percent under Alice Weidel. However, Weidel’s chances of leading a government are slim, as other parties refuse to collaborate with the AfD.
Scholz’s SPD trails at 14-17 percent after his coalition collapsed in November. The breakdown followed his dismissal of FDP leader Christian Lindner, whom Scholz accused of repeatedly breaching trust.
As Germany’s elections near, debates over defence spending and potential coalition alliances dominate the political landscape.
