Czech Survey Shows Majority Support Maintaining NATO Defense Spending Levels

An April poll by the STEM agency of 1,315 respondents revealed that only 17 % of Czechs support cutting defence spending. Around a quarter (24 %) want to keep spending at the NATO‑recommended 2 % of GDP, while 27 % would prefer a rise to the alliance’s average of 2.8 % of GDP. An additional 17 % said they would back a higher‑than‑average share of GDP for defence.

Overall, 57 % of those surveyed feel that the Czech Republic’s security is threatened, a sentiment that has remained high since the start of the war in Ukraine. Support for higher spending is strongest among better‑off households, voters of the former government and those who perceive a greater threat, while older respondents and those with lower education levels are more likely to oppose increases. About 82 % still favour continued NATO membership.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has already acknowledged that the country will not meet the 2 % GDP target this year. He discussed defence‑budget plans with NATO Secretary‑General Jens Stoltenberg (Markus Rutte in the original text) and expressed optimism about future increases, stating that any additional spending would be "subordinated to everything else".