Merz Rallies 3 EU Allies to Cut Nearly €2 Trillion Budget
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Aug 27
Merz Rallies 3 EU Allies to Cut Nearly €2 Trillion Budget
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Aug 27
Summary
Austria, Denmark and Finland joined Friedrich Merz in Berlin for talks on a common stance toward the EU’s 2028-2034 budget, with Germany pushing for a smaller package.
Nearly €2 trillion is on the table in the European Commission’s proposal, which Merz has called unaffordable and said should be cut by several hundred billion euros.
The four countries are all net contributors to the EU budget and part of the bloc’s “frugal” camp, which wants tighter overall spending and changes in how funds are allocated.
The Berlin meeting is an early effort to build leverage before key autumn negotiations over the next seven-year EU budget.
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