PM seeking broad consensus on security and defense

Prime Minister Petr Fiala has stressed the importance of reaching consensus with the opposition on security and defense matters in view of the turbulent global developments. He said that the planned meeting of parliamentary party leaders scheduled for Thursday was an attempt to reach broad agreement on the need to increase defense spending and consider where the finances should come from. The prime minister invited the leaders of ANO, the Freedom and Direct Democracy Party and the Pirate Party to the talks, but only the Pirates have confirmed participation to date. ANO and the Freedom and Direct Democracy Party have criticized the fact that the government approved a gradual increase in defense spending from 2 to 3 percent of GDP over the next five years without consulting the opposition.