Bundeswehr
Habeck for a significant increase in defense spending
How much money should flow into the Bundeswehr? If Habeck has his way, significantly more than before. When it comes to military service, he says he would make a different decision today.
Green Party candidate for chancellor Robert Habeck wants to increase German defense spending significantly beyond the target agreed upon in NATO. “According to experts’ calculations, around three and a half percent of our economic output will be needed for defense in the next few years. I agree with that,” Habeck told “Spiegel”. “We have to spend almost twice as much on our defense so that Putin doesn’t dare to attack us. We have to ensure peace and prevent further war.”
Goal fulfillment thanks to special funds
The current NATO goal stipulates that the alliance states invest at least two percent of their gross domestic product in defense. According to the latest public NATO figures, the federal government has reported defense spending of around 90.6 billion euros to the alliance this year. According to estimates, this could correspond to a GDP share of around 2.1 percent. In addition to the USA, only four of the 32 NATO states are likely to have reached a mark of three percent last year.
Germany is currently meeting the NATO target with the 100 billion euro special pot for the Bundeswehr, which is financed through debt. The money from this special fund is expected to be spent by the end of 2027. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) also believes it is necessary to increase defense spending beyond the two percent target.
Today Habeck would go to the federal government
When asked how the additional spending should be financed, the Economics Minister said: “Certainly not from the current budget and through cuts in citizens’ money. That cannot work mathematically and logically.” Such a large sum can “ultimately only be pre-financed through loans”. He doesn’t want to abolish the debt brake; that’s not necessary. “We have to reform them or go through special funds.”
Habeck said about his own attitude towards the army: “Today I would join the Bundeswehr.” During the Cold War he refused military service, but the situation is now different. “I no longer have a moral argument to refuse today. An aggressor like Putin coldly exploits weakness.”
dpa
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
