Costa puts EU taxes at heart of his grand budget tour
The European Council president is heading to Berlin, Warsaw and Madrid as EU capitals search for a landing zone on new sources of revenue for the bloc’s next long-term budget.
EU budget negotiations are focusing heavily on the introduction of new taxes to secure funding for the long-term budget, according to António Costa, the European Council president. Costa is touring major EU capitals, including Berlin, Warsaw, and Madrid, to discuss the feasibility of new EU-wide levies. The topic of new taxes was prominently featured in a recent meeting of European ministers in Dublin, where disagreements persisted over the proposed €2 trillion Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034.
While some countries are resistant to higher contributions, others support increased spending on defense, security, and competitiveness. Costa emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement by the end of the year, as national elections in France, Spain, Italy, and Poland in 2027 could disrupt the negotiations. However, opinions remain divided on the proposed tax measures, with Germany, Poland, and Spain holding differing positions on budget priorities and the need for new EU taxes.
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