Outgoing PM Fiala stresses importance of defence commitments

Outgoing Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) said that the most important element of the Czech Ministry of Defence’s agenda is that the country meets its commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence. He made the remarks at a press conference alongside outgoing Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS).

Fiala stressed that meeting NATO commitments is essential. He hopes the incoming ANO, SPD, and Motorists government will continue raising defence spending towards the planned 5% of GDP by 2035, as envisaged by the outgoing cabinet. The new prime minister, Andrej Babiš (ANO), has previously said these targets are unrealistic. In their policy statement, ANO, SPD and the Motorists say the defence budget should reflect the state’s current needs and the wider security situation.