Miild Piler Ville / APPA
Higher concern regarding the use of nuclear weapons (85%), a third world war (82%) – the highest values in 12 European countries inquired in a new study.
Portuguese respondents were the ones who demonstrated, in an opinion study conducted in 12 European countriesbe more afraid of the use of nuclear weapons, a possible third world war and a European war beyond Ukraine.
“Most Europeans are waking up to the reality that they live in a very different world. Although the fear of a Russian attack on the NATO territory is less widespread than some analysts suggest – although it is felt with intensity in certain border states, such as Poland, Estonia and Romania, as well as Portugal – it is the increasing fear of a nuclear conflict which more clearly captures the new European anxiety, ”says the European External Relations Council (ECFR, in the English acronym) in a study published Monday.
One day before the two -day summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) marked by strong geopolitical tensions in and the need for ECFR discloses an opinion study that encompasses 12 countries (Portugal, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and 16.440 18 years old.
What the Portuguese say
Asked if they would be concerned with potential events, Portuguese respondents indicated to have Higher concern regarding the use of nuclear weapons (85%), a third world war (82%) and an even larger war on European soil besides Ukraine (77%).
These were the highest percentages among the countries heard.
In the opposite direction, the Portuguese questioned were demonstrated less concerned about a possible Russian invasion of the country (54%) and the breakdown of the European Union (EU) or NATO (65% and 66%, respectively).
Portuguese respondents (which were 1,010, heard between May 16 and 28) also said they were more restless than the state invests too much in defense and dispel other policies than not to invest enough and this puts into question the security of the country.
A most in Portugal (54%) considers that Donald Trump affected the relationship between Europe and the United Statesbut such a connection will improve when he leaves.
The 12 countries selected by ECFR for this opinion study are based on criteria such as geographical balance and dimension.
NATO brings together tomorrow
NATO allies gather on Tuesday and Wednesday in summit in the Dutch city of The Hague under the urgency of spending more in defense, hoping that there is no war, but preparing for the worst.
This meeting of NATO leaders and ministers will serve to discuss world events and their impact on Euro-atlantic security, with allies to prepare for war without expecting it to really happen.
There is talk of a goal of reach 3.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with traditional military spending (Armed Forces, Equipment and Training) and 1.5% of additional GDP in double -use, civil and military infrastructures (as related to cybersecurity, readiness and strategic resilience), an increase compared to the current goal of 2%.
In Portugal, the government announced that it would anticipate the goal of 2% of GDP in defense For 2025. Last Wednesday, Mark Rutte greeted this Portuguese ad, stating that this is “great news”, which arrived even before the summit’s start.
In 2024, Portugal invested about 4,480 million euros in defense, approximately 1.58% of its GDP, which placed the country among NATO allies with the lowest military expense -below the target of 2% -according to the government and the organization estimates.
Portugal will be represented at the Hague summit by the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and by the Ministers of Foreign and Defense, Paulo Rangel and Nuno Melo.
