Overview

• Izquierda Unida (IU) has intensified its opposition to the €10.471 billion defense plan, arguing it is incompatible with maintaining health, education, and climate budgets.
• IU estimates the rearmament plan could divert €3.5–5 billion annually from social spending, undermining Spain's welfare protections.
• The party has proposed an alternative security model, including exiting NATO, converting U.S. military bases into climate research centers, and focusing on dual-use technologies.
• IU's newly released document, 'Hacia un sistema alternativo de paz y seguridad,' criticizes the Sánchez government's alignment with EU defense policies and calls for a broader national debate on security priorities.
• The coalition government faces heightened instability as IU threatens to leave unless the defense plan is renegotiated, raising concerns of a potential government crisis.