**ISTANBUL**
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's efforts to rally support for an increase in defense spending faced significant resistance from opposition parties Thursday.
Sanchez met with Spain's key political forces in the Congress of Deputies, excluding the Vox party, to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the government’s proposal to boost defense spending, El Confidencial reported.
While he insisted that Spain would meet NATO's target of member countries investing at least 2% of GDP in defense by 2029, he failed to secure broad consensus on the plan, with opposition leaders questioning the feasibility and the timing of the proposed increase.
Sanchez’s pledge to advance defense spending while maintaining social policies raised immediate concerns, especially from opposition parties.
"We will not cut a single euro from social cohesion," he reassured, but opposition figures expressed doubts over the government's ability to balance both commitments.
During the meeting, he made a clear call for startups, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses to step up and contribute to the technological development of Spain’s defense industry.
His message appeared to fall flat, however, as there was little agreement on how to fund such ambitious initiatives without sacrificing other vital areas, including social services.
The People’s Party (PP) in particular expressed frustration with Sanchez’s approach, with sources close to the party describing the meeting as unproductive.
"We're leaving the same as we came in," said a spokesperson, emphasizing the lack of meaningful progress.
Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo said the defense issue is larger than just the current government, stressing that the debate requires a bipartisan approach.
"It's a challenge that transcends his term, his government and him," Feijoo said after the meeting.
Meanwhile, UPN lawmaker Alberto Catalan called for a more formal process, urging Sanchez to pass the defense increase through Congress and negotiate the plan with the PP.
Catalan stressed that defense and foreign policy should not be dictated by a minority government and that any plan should have broader support to avoid undermining Spain’s democratic process.
Sanchez reiterated that the proposed increase in defense spending would not affect the government’s commitment to social welfare. However, many remain unconvinced that the two goals can be pursued simultaneously.
His pledge to avoid cuts in social programs came amid a backdrop of economic challenges and growing public concern over the sustainability of government spending.
The government’s failure to secure widespread support for the defense spending increase has cast doubt on the practicality of meeting the NATO target.
While Sanchez insists that Spain is "ready" to contribute, the lack of a consensus on the timing and funding of such an increase leaves Spain’s defense policy in limbo.
In the face of growing opposition, Sanchez has vowed to continue discussions with parliamentary groups in an effort to pass a new General State Budget for 2025.
However, as the political climate grows increasingly polarized, it remains unclear whether the prime minister can unite the country behind his ambitious defense agenda.
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