Summary:
Mariana Mortágua criticizes NATO's military spending narrative as a dangerous distraction from pressing social issues.
Portugal's Prime Minister LuĂs Montenegro suggests accelerating military spending to meet NATO's 2% GDP target by 2029.
Bloco de Esquerda insists tax money should prioritize healthcare and education over military investments.
Montenegro reassures that increased defense spending won't jeopardize financial stability or the social state.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte claims that 2% of GDP is insufficient for European defense.
Bloco de Esquerda's Critique of NATO Spending Narratives
Mariana Mortágua, the coordinator of the Bloco de Esquerda (BE), expressed her profound concern over what she termed a “dangerous narrative” surrounding the increase in military spending proposed by Prime Minister LuĂs Montenegro. She highlighted the “enormous irresponsibility” of prioritizing defense investments amidst the fragility of public services.
While addressing the media during a party parliamentary session in Coimbra, Mortágua responded to Montenegro's comments on potentially expediting Portugal's timeline to meet the NATO goal of allocating 2% of GDP to military expenditures by 2029. She criticized the notion that, while Europe and the United States face unprecedented challenges such as precarious living conditions and a housing crisis, leaders are focused on military purchases instead of investing in essential services like healthcare and education.
“The money from Portuguese taxes must serve to keep hospitals and schools open, as this is an investment in the future we can make,” Mortágua asserted, emphasizing the need for government resources to be directed towards peace and respect for international law.
Mortágua further condemned the disregard for international law by governments advocating for military spending over social welfare. She expressed her alarm at comments from both Montenegro and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding the urgency of increased military funding.
Montenegro's remarks came after a working lunch with Rutte at the official residence in SĂŁo Bento, where he expressed the government's willingness to accelerate its military investment schedule, although no specific timeline was provided. He insisted that the European Union must act collectively while ensuring that increased defense spending does not compromise financial stability or the social state.
Rutte echoed the sentiment that the current 2% GDP guideline for NATO member states is no longer sufficient for Europe's defense needs, reflecting similar concerns raised by U.S. President this week.
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