German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has responded to US President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for NATO European members to increase defence spending to five percent of GDP, stating that Germany will continue to adhere to the current target of at least two percent. Scholz emphasized that a five percent target would be too costly, requiring massive tax increases or cuts to important programs. This comes as Trump is expected to pressure Germany on both economic and security fronts once he takes office.
In the midst of the election campaign, Scholz addressed the issue during his tour in Bielefeld, where he faced hecklers protesting against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Meanwhile, Germany’s conservatives have also focused on increasing defence spending, with Friedrich Merz, a potential successor to Scholz, stating that the specific spending target is less relevant than ensuring necessary measures are taken for defense.
As the election campaigns are underway, polls show the Christian Democrats, led by Friedrich Merz, leading with around 30 percent, followed by the far-right AfD with 20 percent. However, other parties have refused to work with the AfD, making it unlikely for their leader, Alice Weidel, to become Germany’s next leader. Scholz and his Social Democrats are polling around 14-17 percent, leading a minority government after the collapse of the previous coalition. The campaign season continues with a focus on key issues such as defense spending and foreign policy.
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