In a significant move amid Europe’s ongoing rearmament efforts, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has thrown his support behind the European Union’s “ReArm Europe” defense initiative. Speaking at a political conference in Madrid, the center-left leader highlighted the economic benefits of increased defense spending, framing it as an opportunity to reindustrialize Spain and strengthen the continent’s technological and industrial base.
Sánchez, who leads the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), emphasized the need for Europe to bolster its defense capabilities and reduce reliance on external actors for security. “We create technology; we create industry; we create an economy in Europe,” he said. “The great lesson we have to draw from what is happening is that Europe has delegated its defense and security to others. It is time for Europe to step up.”
The Spanish leader also pointed to the potential for growth in sectors such as satellite communications, arguing that increased defense investment could enhance Spain’s productive capacity. “Spain must take advantage of this opportunity to improve its productive fabric,” he said.
Defense Spending Targets and Geopolitical Threats
Sánchez reiterated Spain’s commitment to meeting NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP by 2029, though he acknowledged that the country faces different security challenges compared to its eastern European allies. “For any eastern European, Nordic, or Baltic country, the threat demands a response in which deterrence relies primarily on defense investment,” he said. “But in Spain, that is not the case. Our threat is not Russia bringing its troops across the Pyrenees.”
Instead, Sánchez described Spain’s primary concerns as “hybrid threats,” such as cyberattacks, underscoring the need for a broader approach to security. “What we have to do is not just talk about defense, but fundamentally talk about security,” he added.
Despite his push for increased defense spending, Sánchez faced criticism from opposition leaders. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, head of the conservative People’s Party, accused the prime minister of lacking a clear plan and called for any defense budget increases to be put to a parliamentary vote.
Political Challenges and Broader Implications
Sánchez’s socialist coalition government faces an uphill battle in passing its defense agenda, as it lacks a parliamentary majority and relies on support from smaller fringe and separatist parties. The prime minister hinted that only portions of the defense reform plan would be submitted to Congress for approval, a move that has drawn opposition from rival parties.
“All those things that have to pass through Congress will do so; others will have to be sped up by the Spanish government,” Sánchez said.
Spain has historically lagged behind its European peers in defense spending, allocating just 1.28% of GDP in 2024—one of the lowest rates in the EU. However, during a recent visit to Finland, Sánchez reaffirmed his commitment to reaching the 2% NATO benchmark and suggested the possibility of exceeding it by 2029.
The prime minister also sought to address concerns from the hard-left, assuring that social spending would not be cut to fund defense initiatives. “We will not cut a single cent in social spending,” he said, adding that Spaniards would have to wait for final figures to understand the full impact of the proposed increases.
As Europe grapples with rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Sánchez framed the issue as a matter of both security and prosperity. “Peace in Ukraine and prosperity in Europe are two sides of the same coin,” he said.
However, with NATO reportedly considering raising its defense spending target to 3% or 3.5% at its June summit, Spain’s path to meeting its commitments remains fraught with political and economic challenges.