SPD Proposes Cutting Czech Defense Spending by CZK 7.5 Billion

The SPD party, which oversees the Czech Ministry of Defence through Minister Jaroslav Zuna, has proposed cutting the ministry's budget by CZK 7.5 billion by scrapping defense procurements that have not yet begun. Under the draft prepared by Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (ANO), the Ministry of Defence is set to receive CZK 191 billion next year — almost CZK 36.2 billion more than in this year's approved budget, representing a spending increase of roughly 23%.

This increase would allow Czechia, for the first time, to meet its NATO commitment of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense. However, SPD's proposal could derail these plans, potentially triggering a clash with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO), who insists on meeting the two-percent target. SPD had previously hinted at wanting to cut defense spending, but until now neither the party nor the minister had offered specifics.

What Okamura Is Proposing

According to SPD leader Tomio Okamura, giving up CZK 7.5 billion earmarked for arms procurements that haven't yet started won't jeopardize the army's strategic development. "The timeline for implementing these weapons investments will simply shift, and we'll give that money to the people instead and use it to reduce the deficit," Okamura said.

He argued that priority should go to improving conditions for military personnel: alongside higher pay, soldiers should receive better-quality uniforms and equipment, as well as improved food. Okamura spoke of valorizing the salaries of career soldiers and raising the pay of the ministry's civilian employees by CZK 5,000 a month. SPD deputy chairman Radim Fiala had earlier said the party was preparing its own analysis of the defense ministry's spending. Minister Zuna himself, when questioned by members of the defense committee, merely reiterated his priorities without going into detail.

Černochová Accuses SPD of Manipulation

Former Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS) responded to the SPD initiative by pointing out that CZK 16.4 billion in funding for army projects had already been shifted from this year to next. "They themselves said the projects weren't being cancelled, just delayed. And now SPD is using that postponement as an excuse to strip several billion more from defense," she said, calling it an artificial construct.

The Budget and the Sick-Leave Dispute

Besides defense spending, Okamura said SPD continues to reject the return of the so-called "karenční" period — the first three days of an employee's illness going unpaid. Okamura also said he is not ready to support a possible revised version of a proposal from the Motoristé party, which was previously rejected due to objections from SPD and part of ANO. "I thought that issue was already settled — we insist that the first three days of sick leave be paid," he said.

The coalition will continue budget negotiations, with SPD and Motoristé both pushing to reduce the planned deficit of CZK 389 billion. Babiš's government plans to approve the budget at its next meeting on Monday, September 21, after which the document will go to the Chamber of Deputies for consideration. A deficit of CZK 389 billion would be the second-largest since 2021.

Source: novinky.cz