16 EU Member States Request Activation of National Escape Clause for Defense Spending

On Wednesday evening (April 30), it was announced that 16 EU member states have submitted a written request to activate the national escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact and the ReArm Europe plan. Previously, only five countries had requested this clause, but within hours, the number doubled, as confirmed by the European Council, officially reaching sixteen. The countries include Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Finland. According to the European Commission and Council, additional requests are expected from other member states, even though the deadline was April 30. The European Commission’s announcement states that more requests are anticipated in the future, as several member states have expressed interest in utilizing this clause. Under the ReArm plan, activating the national escape clause provides member states with additional fiscal room to increase defense spending while remaining compliant with EU financial rules.