“People at the table ask such questions, they don’t know where to put that money. We can tell you where to put it. First things first, hiding places. The war will start, men would like to defend the homeland, but how will they defend if there is nowhere to help their families. Second, air defense. Third, general conscription, German brigade,’ – says “4 percent” board member Arnas Stuopelis.
“The bottom line is that there is a very big hole in the budget right now, and because we need to find it, it’s too bad that there’s a cover-up on the defense issue.” Dainius Gaižauskas, a representative of the peasants, is convinced.
Listed what the money would be allocated to
However, according to politicians, it has long been clear who needs the money.
“First – to receive a German brigade, second – to create a Lithuanian division, third – to implement the reform of conscripts, fourth – all acquisitions, including air defense systems. Not “Patriot”, which are very expensive, the same HIMARS, other systems”, says conservative representative Paulius Saudargas.
Liberal representative Eugenijus Gentvilas also agrees that money is needed. According to him, what to buy should be specified by the army,
“There is nothing to discuss here – money is needed. There will be advice from the army, they will tell you what is needed. <...> We have the army, professionals who will rationally tell us how, where and when to use those funds”, he says.
The representative of the Freedom Party, Aušrinė Armonaitė, stated that the statements about the lack of priorities are nonsense.
“Everything is planned, there are clear priorities. The German brigade is absolute hygiene, the air defense is absolute hygiene, the general conscription is planned, the national division is planned.
There are figures showing what the need is until 2030. All this is, it is necessary to go further, to plan acquisitions in the long term. Technologies are modernizing, they are becoming more expensive, you can’t buy them today, you have to stand in line. This is true. But I’m sorry, just lying and spouting such nonsense that there is nothing is simply inadequate,” says A. Armonaitė.
“We don’t have time”
According to Andrias Romanovskis, what will be purchased should be a matter for specialists and future rulers. In his opinion, it is now important to agree not on the details, but on the goal.
“When you have power, one or the other, then you will decide how to use that money. Let’s agree on a strategic goal – 4 percent. We have a common strategic consensus,” he says.
“I spend at least several tens of thousands every day for the defense of Ukraine, and I can say that there is really something to do there. Roughly speaking, there are two levels – technology and artillery, fortifications, infantry. We have to look at both this and that,” says Mr. Ohman.
According to him, in just a few weeks from the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. people donated 40 million without asking anything. euros.
“We have to understand that we don’t have time. <...> With all due respect, agree. We are a small state, we have to be smarter, faster and more united than others, then maybe we will succeed”, says Mr. Ohman.
Business encourages society and politicians to agree to allocate 4 percent to defense. the authors of the gross domestic product (GDP) initiative “4 percent” call on the authorities to start discussions on increased defense funding as soon as possible. The petition, which wants to urge politicians to agree on 4% as soon as possible. GDP financing for defense, already signed by more than 50 thousand. population. This shows that the majority of voters, 4 percent. supports the initiative.
Watch the program “In the spotlight with Edmund Jakilaičius” every Monday at 19:30 on TV3 television and on the news portal tv3.lt!
Tags: heated debate allowed defense Lying spewing nonsense simply inadequate
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