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Politics

Yolanda Díaz advocates for defense spending but calls for a clear defense policy

Monday 10 March 2025 - 11:37 By: Zahouani Ilham

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Spain, along with the European Union, is confronting the challenge of increasing defense spending. Yolanda Díaz, the country’s second deputy prime minister, addressed this issue on Monday in Brussels, stating that the current situation is marked by uncertainty due to the change in U.S. administration and ongoing conflicts. She highlighted that Spain’s failure to establish an independent defense policy was a mistake, emphasizing that the debate should not focus on simply increasing or decreasing defense spending but rather on reorganizing both national and European defense capabilities.

Díaz is not opposed to additional investment, particularly following Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s announcement of plans to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2029, a target previously set. However, Díaz has previously clarified her stance in an interview with The Guardian, asserting that social investment should not be sacrificed for defense spending. She argued for increased social budgets, rights, public housing policies, and better employment opportunities, warning against falling into the rhetoric of the far-right, which could dominate the debate.

The EU has already endorsed a plan involving €150 billion in joint defense investments over the next decade, with ongoing discussions about military procurement. EU leaders have stressed the importance of unity, citing past successes during the pandemic and energy crises, which they hope to replicate in defense and security. They also see potential in redirecting cohesion funds to defense purchases or supporting projects through the European Investment Bank.

In addition, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal includes another €650 billion, which would come from a 1.5% increase in defense spending by EU member states. Although this plan is still in development, community sources indicate openness to new ideas. A key point of flexibility is the activation of an escape clause from the EU’s deficit and debt rules, allowing defense investments to be excluded from budgetary constraints.

Díaz, however, remains cautious in her approach, stating that simply increasing the military budget will not resolve the underlying issues. She stressed the importance of establishing a clear defense policy for the 21st century, noting that Spain’s priority should be to effectively utilize the existing security budget, which already allocates €13 billion, including €7 billion for maintaining troops within Spain. She called for greater coordination with the existing resources and capabilities.