Germany Criticizes France's Defense Spending as Insufficient, Urges Budgetary Reforms

On February 16, 2026, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul publicly criticized France for what he described as "insufficient" efforts to increase defense spending, casting doubts on its commitment to European and NATO security goals. Speaking to Deutschlandfunk, Wadephul highlighted that while French President Emmanuel Macron frequently champions European sovereignty, this rhetoric must be matched by concrete actions taken by member states, including significant budgetary adjustments.

Wadephul underscored that NATO countries are targeting defense expenditures equal to at least 5% of their GDP by 2035, a benchmark initially pressed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. He suggested that France must make notable progress toward this objective, specifically by considering reductions in social spending to free fiscal space for enhancing defense capabilities crucial for Europe’s security.

Additionally, the German official rejected Macron's proposal for a mutualization of European borrowing to finance large-scale investments, aligning with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s stance that the 5% defense spending goal should remain a national obligation rather than a shared European initiative. This criticism from Germany surfaces amidst ongoing deliberations on Europe’s strategic autonomy and security commitments under NATO.

The discourse reflects rising tensions over how France balances domestic social expenditures with defense priorities amid calls for a stronger and more independent European defense posture. Germany’s call for France to revise its budget priorities brings renewed attention to the pressure on EU member states to align spending with collective security goals.