President Pavel Slams 2026 Budget as 'Stagnant' on Defense; Babis Rejects 3.5% NATO Spending Target

Czech President Petr Pavel publicly criticized the 2026 defense budget of 155 billion CZK ($7.3B) — 1.73% of GDP — as 'basically stagnant' and failing the country's NATO commitment, which requires 2% minimum. At the 2025 Hague summit, NATO members agreed to reach 5% of GDP by 2035 under US pressure. Pavel said Czechia would back the 5% target if consensus emerges at the June summit. PM Babis rejected prioritizing the 3.5% core defense target, saying healthcare takes precedence. The US NATO envoy separately urged allies to 'pull weight' after the Czech defense cut, adding transatlantic pressure on Prague. Defense experts assess the 5% goal as feasible but politically dependent on public support Babis has shown no inclination to build.