Nausėda says 5% defence spending is insufficient, urges social balance

President Gitanas Nausėda says Lithuania’s planned defence spending of 5% of gross domestic product next year is too low, but the state must also meet people’s social needs, LRT reported.

“The defence budget, yes, 5% is too little from the State Control’s point of view,” Nausėda told Žinių radijas on Tuesday. He pointed to planned increases in pensions and public-sector salaries, saying the state must balance defence and social spending.

He said solidarity between the state and its people matters for security. “If we do not show empathy and solidarity with people, how can we expect their solidarity if the state faces a threat?” he said.

The government plans to allocate 5% of GDP, or 4.8 billion euros, to national defence next year. The State Control says at least 5.44% of GDP would be needed to meet the country’s defence goals.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas has said that a 5% budget would allow Lithuania to continue working towards developing an army division by 2030, although the types of weapons purchased could change.