EU: Merz says agreement on budget proposal still a long way off; cuts are insufficient
It must be sustainable for those bearing the greatest burden
(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - The Irish Presidency’s proposal to cut 141 billion from the future EU budget (2028–2034) is not enough to break the deadlock in negotiations among the 27 Member States. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has, in fact, rejected Dublin’s mediation, deeming the scale of the cuts insufficient. “A strong and sovereign Europe requires a radically modernised and sustainable multiannual financial framework. I thank the Irish Presidency for its efforts, but we are still a long way from an agreement,” Merz said in a statement. “The scale of the new proposal is not sufficient. The EU budget must be sustainable for those who bear the greatest burden: everyone must contribute to the adjustments, because modernising spending is everyone’s responsibility.”
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