Germany criticizes France’s weak defense spending amid rising tensions

 

• Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Paris to turn President Macron’s calls for European security sovereignty into concrete action.

• In an interview with Deutschlandfunk, he said France’s efforts so far are “insufficient.”

• Europe pledged in June to allocate at least 5% of GDP to security by 2035, but Wadephul noted progress is too slow.

• Germany lifted debt restrictions and expects defense spending to exceed €500 billion between 2025 and 2029.

• France, facing financial pressures, has less room to maneuver, with one of the highest debt burdens in the EU after Greece and Italy.

Sources – Agencies