Andris Kulbergs calls for increased EU funding for eastern flank defense

Andris Kulbergs, a Prime Minister candidate from the ‘United List’ party, has stated that allocating 5% of Latvia’s GDP to defense is insufficient to secure the European Union’s eastern flank. He emphasized that as an external border of the EU, Latvia’s defense spending contributes to the security of the entire continent, not just the nation.

Kulbergs called for the European Union to provide increased funding specifically for eastern flank countries, arguing that financial support should be based on geographic location and threat levels rather than being distributed equally. He also advocated for EU investment in economic development and local defense industries, noting that ‘strong economy can only be strong security.’

To secure additional domestic funding without raising taxes, Kulbergs suggested reducing wasteful spending and identifying new economic sources, estimating that hundreds of millions of euros could be recovered annually through budget optimization. He is currently advocating these measures within the European Council alongside partners from the Baltic states, Poland, Romania, Finland, and Sweden.