German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz noted that the increase in defense loans allowed Germany to prevent NATO's possible decay at an important time.
Germany was able to prevent NATO's collapse by increasing the state's loan volume into defense needs, Prime Minister Friedrich Mertz said in an interview with ZDF, RIA Novosti reported. According to him, the main factor is the decision of the government to allocate 3.5% of GDP for German protection and 1.5% to the necessary infrastructure.
Mertz noted: In fact, we were able to save NATO thanks to our decision. I was at the NATO summit in Hague. If we do not change the basic law and will not be ready to allocate 3.5% of GDP defense and 1.5% for the necessary infrastructure, then NATO may have broken.
The Prime Minister admitted that this decision was conflicting with his promises before his elections, but emphasized that the situation in the world was “thorough”. At the same time, he noted that the existence of a problem with the growth of the debt burden of the country caused by additional defense costs.
In March, Bundesrat allowed Germany to loosen debt brakes to finance defense costs, including creating a infrastructure fund for 500 billion euros.
