Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced that the Czech Republic will not meet the 2% of GDP defense target this year

The Czech Republic will not succeed in reaching the minimum defense spending target of 2% of GDP set by NATO this year, according to statements by Prime Minister Andrej Babis. Although many allies have significantly increased defense spending following the conflict in Ukraine, the Czech Republic spent less than 2% of GDP last year, under the previous government.

Babis's cabinet has reduced the initial defense spending plan to 1.7-1.8% of GDP, but the prime minister emphasized that he will seek ways to meet the target in the future. He mentioned that his government will not reach the 2% threshold this year, prioritizing instead the stabilization of public finances. Babis promised that in the coming years, defense spending will increase responsibly, in accordance with commitments to allies and the security situation.