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Czech lawmakers approve 2026 defense budget under 1.8% GDP

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 12:04 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Czech lawmakers approved a 2026 defense budget below 1.8% of GDP despite President Petr Pavel’s urging.
NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker warned the Czech Republic for spending under 2% of GDP on defense.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Czech defense spending will reach 2% of GDP in 2027.
Finance Minister Alena Schillerová called a 5% defense spending goal unrealistic.

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Story summary

Czech lawmakers approved a 2026 defense budget below 1.8% of GDP despite President Petr Pavel’s urging.
NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker warned the Czech Republic for spending under 2% of GDP on defense.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said Czech defense spending will reach 2% of GDP in 2027.
Finance Minister Alena Schillerová called a 5% defense spending goal unrealistic.