Next week, NATO allies will convene for a summit in The Hague, where discussions will center around a proposed significant increase in military expenditure. The focus will be on meeting the 5 percent of GDP defense spending target set by U.S. President Donald Trump, a substantial rise from the current 2 percent goal that Spain is on track to achieve this year.

To address Trump's demands, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has suggested that the 5 percent target should comprise 3.5 percent of GDP for direct military expenses and 1.5 percent for defense-related investments like military mobility and cybersecurity.

Decision-making within NATO relies on consensus, meaning any single ally can veto a proposal. Despite this, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles recently stated that while Spain would not obstruct the alliance from adopting the 5 percent target, the country will adhere to the 2 percent threshold for the time being.

In a letter to NATO, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed that Spain does not wish to impede other allies' spending objectives or disrupt the summit's outcome. He has requested either a more flexible approach to the target, making it optional, or a specific exemption for Spain.

In contrast, Swedish political parties have committed to reaching the 5 percent target by 2032, planning to borrow up to 300 billion krona (€27 billion) to achieve this goal.

Sánchez has argued that Spain does not require a 5 percent GDP expenditure to meet its capability targets, which are the new weapon inventory objectives established by NATO defense ministers earlier this month.