German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed criticism towards Economics Minister Robert Habeck's proposal to significantly increase the country's defense budget. Habeck, who suggested raising defense spending to 3.5% of the GDP, has been met with skepticism, particularly from Scholz, who deemed the plan 'half-baked'. This proposal has sparked a broader debate on the nation's military expenditure and its alignment with NATO's target of 2% of GDP.
Scholz's reservations are not isolated, with other political figures, such as CSU's Alexander Dobrindt, also questioning the proposal's feasibility and implications. Dobrindt criticized the potential abandonment of Germany's debt brake, a fiscal policy limiting the federal budget deficit.
Despite achieving NATO's 2% defense spending target for the first time in decades, the necessity and scale of further increases remain contentious. The discussions reflect wider concerns about national security amid geopolitical tensions, particularly in light of Russia's actions in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Scholz remains open to collaboration with the FDP, highlighting a complex political landscape as Germany approaches its federal elections. The debate underscores a critical juncture in determining the country's defense priorities and fiscal strategies.
