During his speech on Wednesday, Sánchez avoided giving details on where he'd find the cash to increase military expenditures but insisted that it would happen "without cutting a single cent from social or environmental spending." The prime minister added that Spain had to fulfill its commitments so as to not remain out of step with the rest of the EU.
But his left-wing coalition partners weren't swayed.
“A purely militarized security system is not only ineffective against threats as complex as those facing Europe, but also erodes the democratic foundations of the European project," said Sumar spokesperson Verónica Barbero. "We must not accept that more spending equals more security."
The center-right People's Party's Alberto Núñez Feijóo took an even harsher tone, accusing Sánchez of "trying to deceive the EU and NATO" by making expenditure promises that his government cannot keep.
Aware that the prime minister lacks sufficient support in parliament to pass a national budget, the leader of the opposition said any talk of increased military spending could only happen within a wider debate on the country's finances.
"If what you want is for the People's Party to be your backup partner when others fail you, forget it," he said.
Arguing that Spain doesn't necessarily need to "spend more, but instead spend better," Sánchez has previously hinted that his country might try to meet its NATO commitment by investing in broad industrial and technological development.
To that end, he announced that a new national plan for the development of Spanish security and defense technology will be presented this summer, but declined to give details on a scheme which he said "would benefit Spain."