In a significant development, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his commitment to increasing the country's defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2029. This announcement was made during a press conference in Brussels, where Sánchez described the necessity of such measures as a matter of 'survival' for Europe, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions following the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States.

The escalation of events in Ukraine has intensified discussions around military investment not only in Spain but across the European Union.

Sánchez reiterated that Spain is fundamentally a 'pacifist' nation, and he personally opposes a renewed arms race.

However, he emphasized the urgent need to 'protect' Europe from threats on both the eastern and southern fronts.

He called upon the Spanish public and most parliamentary groups to support increased defense spending, positioning it as a matter of European solidarity, while claiming that only the far-right party Vox stands opposed.

The Spanish government is currently considering various methods to achieve the intended increase in military investment.

Discussions are ongoing with European allies to determine the timeline for reaching this 2% target.

Sánchez noted that he is seeking input from parliamentary leaders, with meetings scheduled that include opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo and other political figures, though Santiago Abascal has been excluded from these talks.

Félix Bolaños, the Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Parliamentary Relations, has stated that investing in defense equates to investing in democracy.

He highlighted the need for broad support across political lines, acknowledging the challenges in garnering a cross-party consensus amid divergent views on military spending.

While the coalition partner Sumar has softened its opposition to increased defense spending, its support is contingent upon ensuring that the funding is directed towards 'security criteria' rather than purely militaristic ends.

Yolanda Díaz's political group asserts that a robust defense policy should prioritize resource coordination among EU countries over merely increasing expenditures.

The spokesperson for Sumar, Verónica Martínez Barbero, emphasized the need for greater strategic autonomy for Europe that would not rely on the outcomes of U.S. elections.

Conversely, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) appears poised to offer less resistance to Sánchez's plans.

Aitor Esteban, representing the PNV in Congress, recently urged immediate action on continental defense to uphold Europe's role as a beacon of democracy.

On the other end of the spectrum, EH Bildu's deputy, Oskar Matute, criticized the militaristic approach, arguing that increased armament would not contribute to individual freedom or security.

He reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.

Podemos, however, provided a stark rebuke of Sánchez's strategy, accusing him of yielding to Trump’s influence.

Ione Belarra, the general secretary, denounced the initiative, asserting that each euro allocated to arms corresponds to cuts in healthcare and public education.

The current political landscape suggests that building a broad coalition in support of increased military spending remains a complex and contentious endeavor as Spain seeks to navigate these discussions.