Europeans divided on increased NATO defence spending: survey
Support for the planned increases in defence spending by NATO member states have sparked varied reactions across Europe, reported dpa.
A survey published on Monday by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) found that support for increased defence spending is highest in Poland and Denmark (70%), followed by Britain (57%), Estonia (56%) and Portugal (54%).
In Germany, 47% of respondents expressed support for increased spending. However, in Spain (46%), France and Hungary (45%), support is less definitive.
Italy can be considered an outlier, with 57% strongly or in principle against higher defence spending, according to the survey. Only 17% of those surveyed support the plan.
For the survey, more than 1,000 people were interviewed in each country between the middle and end of May. The think tank commissioned the opinion research institutes Datapraxis, YouGov and Norstat.
Opinions on the reintroduction of compulsory military service also vary widely. In France, 62% of respondents are in favour, in Germany 53% and in Poland 51%. In Spain and Britain, only 37% of respondents were in favour.
In countries with existing compulsory military service, attitudes were not surveyed.
- Europeans
- divided
- NATO defence
- Spending
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi