Friedrich Merz, Germany’s opposition leader and likely next chancellor, has pledged to increase defence spending but declined to commit to NATO’s proposed 5% GDP target, highlighting the need for practical and sustainable measures ahead of February’s parliamentary elections.
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, expected to become chancellor in next month’s election, stated on Wednesday that Germany would increase defence spending but stopped short of endorsing NATO’s 5% GDP target proposed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Speaking to Bayerischer Rundfunk, Merz said, "We first really have to reach the 2% lower limit in Germany. We are not there yet," adding that specific percentages were less important than ensuring effective defence capabilities.
Markus Soeder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), agreed that military spending should increase, suggesting it should rise to "well over 3%." However, Germany’s current ability to meet NATO’s 2% target relies on a special fund set to expire in 2028, raising concerns about maintaining this level of expenditure.
Defence spending has become a central campaign issue ahead of Germany’s 23 February parliamentary elections, with pressure mounting due to Trump’s proposals and tensions with Russia.
While Merz believes Germany can finance increased defence spending without special funds, Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens has proposed a 3.5% target funded through loans. Social Democrat Dirk Wiese dismissed Trump’s demands as "complete madness" and criticised Habeck’s proposal as "somewhat half-baked," echoing outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
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Monday marks the second of two days of national mourning in Poland as police bolstered security after six people were killed in a mass shooting in Kraków.
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Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for the 9th of November 2026. From a spy investigation shaking Silicon Valley to rising geopolitical tensions, these are the five stories you need to know today.
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