Germany’s far-right moment hastens EU’s push for €2T budget deal
With the AfD on course to win the Saxony-Anhalt state election, the need to secure an agreement on Brussels' spending power is more pressing than ever.
The prospect of right-wing parties gaining power in several EU member states following regional elections has prompted European diplomats to press for an urgent deal on the bloc's next seven-year budget. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is expected to secure a parliamentary majority in Saxony-Anhalt, a state in eastern Germany, in Sunday's regional elections.
The rise of Eurosceptic parties across Europe, including in France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Greece, Estonia, and Slovakia, has created concerns about the bloc's ability to reach a consensus on the budget. Negotiations on the budget have been stalled, with differing views among countries on whether the EU should spend more or less.
European Council President António Costa is traveling across the EU in an attempt to resolve the impasse. France's upcoming presidential election, which could see Marine Le Pen win, has added urgency to the talks, as Le Pen has pledged to reduce France's contribution to the EU budget. Meanwhile, Germany is pushing for a smaller budget than initially proposed by the European Commission, particularly affecting areas such as competitiveness, defense, and security.
The budget will be discussed at a summit of EU leaders on October 15 and another summit is expected on November 26-27. The final decision on the budget must be reached before the end of the year to avoid a prolonged deadlock.
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