Greek PM: Citizens support higher defence spending

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasised that citizens understand the need for increased defence spending during a meeting of European People’s Party (EPP) leaders in Zagreb, as per Greek media.

Mitsotakis, who also leads Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, is attending the two-day EPP summit in the Croatian capital. Upon arriving, he responded to a journalist’s question about Greece’s defence expenditures, which currently account for roughly 3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He noted that Greece has historically allocated more than 2% of GDP to defence, even when most European nations spent considerably less. “This policy reflects Greece’s geographic realities and national priorities,” Mitsotakis said, adding that defence spending has now surpassed 3% of GDP.

The prime minister stressed that citizens understand the importance of maintaining security to ensure Greece remains a prosperous and democratic country. He also pointed to public support for greater involvement of Greece’s domestic defence industry in national defence spending, noting that the government is actively promoting this approach.

Mitsotakis further highlighted that, thanks to the strength of Greece’s economy, the country can sustain a 3% defense spending level while continuing to reduce taxes for the middle class and maintain a primary budget surplus.

“Greece has achieved the right balance,” he said, adding that citizens recognise higher defence spending as not only necessary for national security but also as a contribution to Europe’s strategic autonomy.

By Tamilla Hasanova