Poland’s government plans record defense spending in its 2025 budget

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s budget proposal for 2025 includes record defense spending of 187 billion zlotys or $48.7 billion. Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented the main points of next year’s budget on Wednesday. Poland borders war-torn Ukraine and security concerns are high. Tusk described the budget proposal as “generous” and supporting further economic growth. Poland’s finance minister said that the defense spending proposal would constitute 4.7% of gross domestic product. That would be more than the 4.2% this year. Poland is already a leader in defense spending among NATO and European Union countries. The current proposal would break the previous defense spending record of 159 billion zlotys or $41.5 billion in the 2024 budget.