EU-Haushalt: EVP-Chef Manfred Weber stellt sich gegen Merz – Streit um EU-Haushalt

EU-Haushalt: EVP-Chef Manfred Weber and other party leaders in the European Parliament have vehemently rejected a new compromise proposal in the dispute over the new long-term EU budget due to excessive cuts. They express their "utter dismay" over the revised negotiation framework in a joint statement. Weber confronts Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), who also rejects the new proposal due to insufficient cuts based on the initial EU Commission proposal led by Ursula von der Leyen.

The Irish EU Council presidency presented a new compromise on Saturday, proposing a budget reduction of around 159 billion euros for the years 2028-2034 compared to the original EU Commission proposal. This reduction threatens the Union's ability to respond to upcoming challenges and maintain Europe's role in a turbulent world, according to the statement.

The compromise also highlights severe cuts in areas such as competitiveness, research, defense, and foreign and development policy, which would weaken Europe's competitiveness and security and reduce its global influence. The group of net contributors, including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Austria, had demanded a budget cut of several hundred billion euros, as they contribute more to the EU budget than they receive in return.

The EVP, which includes CDU and CSU members, along with the S&D, Renew, and Greens, hold 454 out of 720 seats in the European Parliament. The Commission regrets the "significant reduction" in the overall budget, warning that extensive cuts could undermine the agreed-upon central priorities.

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