German Federal Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) has rejected the demands of the designated US President Donald Trump for a drastic increase in defense spending as unrealistic. “What Donald Trump proposes is unrealistic” said the Greens’ top candidate to the Funke Media Group newspapers (Thursday editions). “We will not end up at 5 percent.”
Instead, Habeck reaffirmed his demand for a 3.5 percent increase in spending on defense, stating that this is roughly the mid-term target being discussed in the NATO. “What is needed must be done now. If we achieve a reasonable state for Germany’s security in a few years, then we can reduce the spending again.” Habeck warned the US President indirectly of a “bidding war”.
The changed security situation requires that Europe do more for its own security, Habeck said. This should not be hindered by the budget situation. To achieve the 3.5 percent goal, there are two ways, he said. “Either we create a new special fund for defense, or we reform the debt brake and secure new room for maneuver.”
The sums needed for defense are not to be achieved by reducing the budget, the Chancellor candidate said. “These 1.5 percent more will not be earned by reducing the citizen’s allowance, by reducing education or research.