German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has fiercely criticized a proposal by Economy Minister Robert Habeck to drastically increase the nation’s defense spending in the face of perceived threats from Russia. The proposal, unveiled during an interview with Der Spiegel last week, advocates for defense expenditures to rise to 3.5 percent of Germany’s GDP, far exceeding NATO’s 2 percent target. Scholz has dismissed the suggestion as ill-conceived and overly burdensome for German citizens.

Habeck, who also serves as the Green Party’s candidate for the upcoming snap elections in February, has argued that Germany must take a firmer stance against Russia. “We need to spend almost twice as much on our defense so that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin does not dare to attack us,” he told Der Spiegel. According to Habeck, the proposed increase is essential to safeguard peace and prevent further escalation in Europe.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions between Russia and NATO over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While NATO allies, including Germany, continue to supply financial and military aid to Kiev, Habeck’s push for a substantial defense budget increase has sparked heated debate.

Chancellor Scholz has expressed strong reservations about Habeck’s proposal, describing it as “half-baked” in an interview with Stern magazine. “The economy minister essentially suggested almost doubling the defense budget from just under €80 billion ($82.76 billion) to €140 billion ($144.83 billion) without explaining where the money will come from or how it will be allocated,” Scholz stated.

He further questioned the financial feasibility of the plan, asking, “Who will pay the bill? The citizens?”........

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