MEPs have demanded a bigger budget, many capitals want to spend less
Huge differences in national negotiating positions means that clinching a deal on the EU’s next long-term budget “is not going to be easy”, said Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commission’s economy chief.
Dombrovskis noted that current debate is dominated by “how to cut” the Commission’s proposed €2 trillion spending programme for 2028 to 2034.
Several “frugal” Northern member states, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, are urging even deeper reductions than the 2% cut suggested by Cyprus, which holds the rotating EU presidency, earlier this month.
“I’d say our proposal is ambitious but realistic,” Dombrovskis said an event hosted by the House of the Euro on Monday evening.
