EU budget chief Serafin criticises ‘frugals’ over proposed budget cuts

Published on

02/07/2026 - 10:23 GMT+2

Further cuts and lack of ambition in new revenues to the upcoming EU long-term budget would not necessarily make the EU cheaper for taxpayers, European Commissioner for Budget Piotr Serafin said on Thursday, in a message to the so-called “frugal” countries that are seeking to reduce the EU long-term budget.

The €2 trillion budget for the period 2028-2034 was proposed by the European Commission in July 2025 and is currently being negotiated among the member states.

Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Austria have a firm negotiating position of reducing the proposed spending, and are reluctant to find new forms of revenue.