Tue, 18 Mar 2025

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 Germany set to vote on historic increase in defence spending

German MPs could pave the way for huge investments to defend Europe against a threatening Russia.

* Germany's Bundestag is voting on whether to increase defence spending, which could lead to a massive uplift in military investment across Europe.
* The vote is crucial as it will impact Europe's future security and ability to support Ukraine against Russia.
* European defence spending has risen by 11.7% in the past year, with Germany's increased spending of 23.2% being a key driver of this growth.
* If the vote passes, it will free up €500bn for German infrastructure projects, including climate change measures, and potentially allow unlimited billions for defence spending.
* Other European countries are watching the vote closely as they consider their own defence spending increases.
* The US has signalled that it can no longer be relied upon to defend Europe, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stating that America's 80-year defensive umbrella should no longer be taken for granted.
* Experts predict that Russia may make gains in Ukraine and rebuild its army within three years or less if the US pulls out of Nato.
* European governments are under pressure to raise defence spending after years of cuts, with many countries still below the 2% of GDP Nato mandate.
* The ReArm Europe Fund, proposed by the EU Commission, aims to create an €800bn defence fund for pan-European defence projects.
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