Lithuania; Parliament approves hiking defense budget 2022 to 2.52 percent of GDP

As reported by LRT, on September 29, the Lithuanian parliament Seimas unanimously approved a proposal to increase the 2022 defense funding to 2.52 percent of the GDP, a NATO demand addressed to all the Allies. The 2022 budget amendment, allocating 298 million euros in additional funding for national defense, passed the Seimas with 123 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions.

Lithuania’s current national budget allocates just over 1.2 billion euros, or 2.05 percent of GDP, to the Defense Ministry. The amendment allows the State to borrow funds for its NATO membership commitments, ensuring defense allocations at 2.52 percent of GDP. It has yet to be signed into law by President Gitanas Nausėda, LRT reports.