German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected Trump’s five percent NATO defense demand during a campaign stop in Bielefeld, where he firmly argued that such a proposal would be financially unsustainable for Germany.
Scholz Pushes Back Against Five Percent Proposal
During a campaign stop in Bielefeld, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz firmly rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for NATO countries to raise their defence budgets to five percent of GDP. Scholz argued that such a move would be financially unsustainable for Germany.
“Five percent would exceed €200 billion annually, almost half our federal budget,” Scholz explained. He added that achieving this target would necessitate either massive tax hikes or severe cuts to essential services. Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to NATO’s current two percent spending goal, calling it both realistic and appropriate.
Opposition Advocates Higher Defence Spending
Germany’s conservative opposition, led by CDU candidate Friedrich Merz, has taken a different stance. While Merz avoided specifying a target, he emphasized the importance of enhancing Germany’s defence capabilities. “The exact percentage is less relevant than ensuring we can defend ourselves,” Merz stated.
Although the CDU leads in the polls, their push for increased military spending appears misaligned with the preferences of many German voters.
Election Campaigns Intensify Amid Coalition Collapse
Scholz’s campaign tour began in Bielefeld, where he plans over 30 public events before the February 23 election. The event faced a brief disruption by protesters criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza, but security swiftly removed them.
The CDU currently leads the polls with 30 percent, followed by the far-right AfD at 20 percent under Alice Weidel. However, Weidel’s chances of forming a government remain slim, as other parties refuse to work with the AfD.
Scholz’s SPD lags with 14-17 percent after his coalition government collapsed in November. The breakup followed the dismissal of FDP leader Christian Lindner, whom Scholz accused of repeatedly breaking trust.
As Germany heads into elections, defence spending and coalition-building remain pivotal topics shaping the political landscape.