Europe is facing a deepening rift as NATO pushes for a bold new defence spending target: 5% of GDP. The proposal, aimed at reinforcing the continent’s military posture in the face of a resurgent Russia, has triggered applause in some capitals and outrage in others. The controversy isn’t just about numbers; it’s about what kind of Europe people want to live in.
Norway wasted no time backing the plan. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described it as a responsible move in a time of rising threats, stating that Norway is ready to reach the 5% goal without incurring a single kroner in borrowing. With its vast oil wealth and strong economy, the country plans to ramp up spending on both traditional military forces and broader security measures like cyberdefence and border infrastructure. For Støre, this isn’t just about tanks and missiles, it’s about making Europe harder to break.
But not everyone is buying it. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez lashed out at the proposal, calling it “unreasonable” and warning that it risks turning NATO into a budget-devouring machine. “We won’t gut our healthcare and education systems to meet an arbitrary target,” Sánchez declared, voicing the fears of many across Southern Europe. Spain already struggles to meet the existing 2% defence benchmark and argues that the 5% demand is tone-deaf in an era of economic inequality and social fragility.
The clash has laid bare a deeper divide in Europe between countries that feel the Russian threat at their doorstep and those that are still recovering from economic shocks at home. While Eastern European nations and military-heavy states like Poland support the spending surge, others argue that pouring billions into defence could come at the cost of social cohesion, climate goals, and public trust.
Critics are also questioning the motives behind the push. Is this truly about security, or is it a political gesture to please Washington, where calls for Europe to “pay its share” have become routine? Some worry that NATO is sleepwalking into a new arms race, one that could leave citizens footing the bill while social programs wither.
As NATO leaders prepare to meet in The Hague, the 5% proposal isn’t just a policy debate; it’s a battle over Europe’s identity. Should the continent become a fortress, or should it remain a community built on social investment and diplomacy? The answer is far from settled.
