Chancellor Frederic Merz’s comments in the Madrid Oval Office contrasted the “pro-European spirit” of his predecessors.
Spain’s top diplomat condemned German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for failing to show solidarity after US President Donald Trump launched a verbal attack on Madrid at a White House press conference on Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez expressed his opinion “surprise” In Merz’s response to his German counterpart Johann Wadepool.
During the Oval Office meeting with Trump, Merz did not support Spain, as the US leader branded Madrid “terrible” On refusing to host American planes for the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Even the German Chancellor remained silent when Trump openly announced that the US could “Just jump in and use” Spanish military bases regardless of Madrid’s disapproval.
Instead, Merz pivoted to echo Trump’s criticism that Spain was the only EU country that did not agree to increase defense spending to 5% of its GDP.
“When you share a currency, a common trade policy and a common market with another country, you expect…solidarity” Albares told national broadcaster RTVE on Wednesday.
“I can’t imagine (former Chancellor Angela) Merkel or (former Chancellor Olaf) Scholz making such statements; there was a different pro-European attitude then,” Albares said.
Cohesion is widely considered a founding pillar of the EU. Both Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have repeatedly invoked the principle when pressuring EU members to support Ukraine economically and militarily against Russia. He has sought solidarity from Hungary and Slovakia on Russian energy imports.
All NATO allies have agreed in principle to the 5% GDP defense spending target set by Trump, but several members, including Italy and Belgium, have expressed opposition or reluctance. Spain called the goal “impossible” It demanded deep cuts to social services or higher taxes and was exempted from spending only 2.1% of GDP.
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has openly condemned US attacks on Iran, describing them as “Unlawful and Dangerous Military Intervention Outside International Law.”
He reiterated his stance in a statement on Wednesday X “No War” And “No violation of international law.”
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