The Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, will meet with the Minister of Labour, Yolanda Díaz, this Tuesday to find a united position on defence spending before upcoming discussions with other parties on Thursday. This meeting comes amidst concerns from Díaz and her party, Sumar, regarding increasing military expenditure in Spain.

Yolanda Díaz has firmly stated that merely raising the military budget will not resolve current issues. Instead, she urges for a comprehensive discussion about Spain’s defence policy in the twenty-first century, particularly during a period characterised by geopolitical uncertainty. She insists that Spain should focus on practical defence strategies rather than an unchecked arms race.

Díaz highlighted that Spain currently only executes zero point nine per cent of its defence budget, which is set at one point two per cent of its total economic output. Her comments suggest an emphasis on reassessing existing resources and capabilities rather than simply increasing financial allocations.

Within the coalition party Sumar, divisions are already emerging, with other members resistant to increasing military spending. Parties like United Left and Podemos have publicly opposed any rise in defence budgets, arguing that peace cannot be achieved through military expenditure. Sánchez’s prior commitments to meet NATO spending targets before two thousand and twenty-nine are also contributing to the ongoing debate.