Germany demands $450 billion cut to 'unaffordable' EU budget, document shows
Berlin says the proposed €2 trillion plan would leave Germany with annual contributions above €50 billion and strain member-state finances.
- Germany demanded approximately €450 billion in cuts to the European Commission's proposed €2 trillion Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, citing affordability concerns in an internal government document reviewed by Reuters.
- Berlin warned that an agreement is impossible in the current form, as the Multiannual Financial Framework requires unanimous approval from all 27 European Union states to proceed with negotiations.
- Even with the proposed €400 billion reduction, German officials argue the €2 trillion package remains unsustainable, as the budget would still be 27% larger than the current cycle.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged member states to finalize an agreement this year to ensure planning certainty before 2028, citing upcoming elections in France, Poland, and Italy in 2027.
- Supporters of the European Commission argue that Europe faces challenges requiring greater collective investment in defense, climate, and industrial competitiveness, countering Berlin's focus on fiscal discipline.
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14 Articles
The EU Commission intends to spend two trillion euros between 2028 and 2034. A radical reduction demand comes from Berlin.
Why Germany Is Fighting the EU's €2 Trillion Budget Plan—and Demanding a €450 Billion Cut
Germany has emerged as the leading opponent of the European Union's proposed €2 trillion (about £1.7 trillion) long-term budget, arguing that the spending plan is financially unsustainable and could place excessive burdens on member states already facing economic pressures. German government documents outlining Berlin's budget position show that officials are seeking approximately €450 billion (about £387 billion) in reductions to the proposed M…
Germany calls for EU financial planning to be cut by around EUR 400 billion for 2028 to 2034.
Times of India
The Economic TimesGermany demands $450 billion cut to 'unaffordable' EU budget, document shows
Germany is pushing for a massive €400 billion cut to the European Commission's proposed €2 trillion budget for 2028-2034, deeming it "unaffordable." As the EU's largest net contributor, Berlin warns that an agreement is currently impossible due to the significant increase from the previous budget. Chancellor Merz is urging member states to finalize a deal this year to provide planning certainty ahead of crucial elections.
In a government paper, Germany mentions for the first time an order of magnitude for the planned EU budget, which is significantly lower from the Commission's proposal.
EXCLUSIVE: Germany demands $450 billion cut to 'unaffordable' EU budget, document shows
Germany is demanding a €400 billion ($456 billion) cut to the European Commission's proposed budget of €2 trillion for 2028-2034, warning that the current plans are "unaffordable," according to an internal government document seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
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