Czech Prime Minister Babis rejects increase in NATO defense spending

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has made new statements regarding his country's stance on plans for NATO member states to increase their defense budget spending. In an online interview with the Czech news site Denik.cz, Babis responded with a definitive "Absolutely not" when asked if his government was moving toward the target of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) for core defense spending, as set out in the NATO agreement. Stating that his government is not following a roadmap to reach higher defense budget levels, Babis said, "Our priority is the health of our citizens, ensuring they live long and healthy lives."

Former Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala criticized Babis's remarks, arguing that security issues should be a priority item on the government's agenda.

"The plan will not negatively affect military modernization projects"

Czech Defense Minister Jaromir Zuna also noted in a statement yesterday that the new Babis government's 2026 budget plan envisions reducing defense spending to 2.1 percent of GDP, reminding that this rate remains below the 2.35 percent level planned by the previous center-right coalition government. Zuna stated that this plan would not negatively affect the army's modernization projects.

Babis had said, "The NATO agreement is not realistic"

Babis had also previously described NATO's agreement to gradually increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP as "not realistic" in a statement made before the elections held last year.

The Babis government decided to continue an existing mechanism led by the Czech Republic to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine, which is also financially supported by Germany, but stopped the funding provided to the program by the Czech Republic.

The government, which took office last December under the leadership of Babis's Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO) party, is trying to pass its revised 2026 budget plan through parliament. However, the government frequently faces criticism from the public and the opposition front due to the reduction in defense spending.

It was known that the former Fiala government, which strongly supported Ukraine, aimed to increase defense spending to 3 percent of GDP by 2030.

News Source: İHA