Germans Favor Ramping Up Defense Spending for NATO, But East vs. West Divide Emerges
Most Germans support increased defense spending to align with NATO's objectives.
In a recent ZDF Politbarometer survey, nearly two-thirds (65%) of Germans expressed support for a rise in defense expenditure to align with NATO's five-percent target. Conversely, 30% of respondents opposed this increase with the remaining respondents undecided.
The survey reveals a stark contrast between East and West Germans' attitudes. West Germans are more supportive (68%) of the increase compared to East Germans, who approve at a lower rate of 49%.
At a recent NATO summit, member states agreed to prioritize annual defense and security spending of at least five percent of their GDP starting from 2035. Given this commitment, Germany plans to attain this target by 2029.
There's skepticism among Germans about the USA under President Trump's continued commitment to guarantee military security in Europe. Only 21% of the 1,378 survey participants believe that America under Trump will maintain such obligations.
Background:
Germany has pledged to significantly bolster its defense budget, aiming to allocate 3.5% of its GDP on defense by 2029, up from 2.4% in 2025. This represents the most ambitious rearmament effort since the Cold War, with plans to spend over €150 billion annually by the end of the decade and approximately €649 billion over the next five years. These measures are primarily driven by the perceived threat from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine and the evolving global security environment. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has emphasized that the increase is not to appease the U.S., but rather as a means to maintain the Euro-Atlantic region’s freedom and security[1][2][3][4].
However, the enthusiasm for defense spending escalation among the German populace varies regionally, with West Germans generally more favorable and East Germans displaying more skepticism. East Germans harbor historical, political, and social reasons, including the legacy of the former East Germany (GDR) and a more cautious stance on military escalation, for their reluctance[1][4].
Sources: ntv.de, dpa, [1], [2], [3], [4]
In the context of Germany's defense spending policy, a divide between East and West Germans has emerged, as 68% of West Germans support an increase in defense spending, compared to 49% of East Germans. This regional difference might be influenced by policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, especially concerning war-and-conflicts and the evolution of the community policy and vocational training for military personnel. Given the obligation set by NATO, it is crucial to develop comprehensive employment policies for soldiers and service personnel undergoing vocational training.
