{
  "id": 6457386,
  "title": "EU budget: Merz insists on drastic cuts to EU financial plans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/eu-haushalt-merz-besteht-auf-drastischer-kurzung-der-eu",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-09T18:13:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/international/eu-haushalt-merz-besteht-auf-drastischer-kuerzung-der-eu-finanzplanungen/100253367.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a more realistic approach to the EU's next financial framework, starting in 2028, after meeting with EU Council President Antonio Costa. Merz stated that the European Commission's proposals, which foresee a 60% increase in the EU budget, are not affordable, especially given the current budget constraints in all member states. He suggested that the proposals need to be cut by several hundred billion euros and emphasized the need for prioritization and a new focus in the financial framework. Merz identified competitiveness and defense capabilities as key areas for the future.",
  "summary": "Chancellor Merz considers the plans for the EU budget from 2028 onwards to be too expensive. The Commission must cut its proposals by several hundred billion euros.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}